table of content...chapter 2 appointing consultants and contractors section 2.1 key processes for...
TRANSCRIPT
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Table of Content
Foreword 1
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Section 1.1 Key Processes of Building Maintenance Projects 4
Section 1.2 Forming an Owners’ Corporation 5
Section 1.3 Building Maintenance Works 71.3.1 Needs for Building Maintenance 71.3.2 Common Building Defects 8
Section 1.4 Legal Requirements Relating to Building Maintenance 91.4.1 Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344) 91.4.2 Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123) 101.4.3 Fire Safety Ordinances 151.4.4 Statutory Orders, Directions or Notices Issued by
Other Government Departments 21
Section 1.5 Integrity Management 221.5.1 Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) 221.5.2 Managing Conflict of Interest 241.5.3 Probity Requirements for MC Members and OC Staff 27 1.5.4 Probity Requirements for Consultants and Contractors 27
Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
Section 2.1 Key Processes for Appointing Consultants and Contractors 30
Section 2.2 Drawing up Scope of Consultancy Services 31
Section 2.3 Drawing up Scope of Maintenance Works 36
Section 2.4 Conducting Prequalification Exercise (Optional) 39
Section 2.5 Inviting Tenders for Consultancy Agreement 42
Section 2.6 Inviting Tenders for Works Contract 48
Section 2.7 Receiving and Opening Tenders 52
Section 2.8 Evaluating Tenders for Consultancy Agreement 54
Section 2.9 Evaluating Tenders for Works Contract 57
Section 2.10 Conducting Tender Negotiation (Optional) 61
Section 2.11 Awarding Consultancy Agreement/Works Contract 63
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Chapter 3 Supervising Maintenance Works and Managing Contracts
Section 3.1 Key Processes for Supervision of Maintenance Works and Management of Contracts 68
Section 3.2 Progress Monitoring 69
Section 3.3 Quality Checks 71
Section 3.4 Contract Payments 75
Section 3.5 Work Variations 77
Section 3.6 Work Completion 80
Chapter 4 Knocking on the Right Door
Section 4.1 Overview 84
Section 4.2 Home Affairs Department 86 4.2.1 Advice and Support 86 4.2.2 Educational and Publicity Activities 87 4.2.3 Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme 87
Section 4.3 Urban Renewal Authority 88 4.3.1 Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme 88 4.3.2 Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme 88 4.3.3 Operation Building Bright 2.0 & Fire Safety Improvement Works 89 Subsidy Scheme 4.3.4 “Smart Tender” Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services 89
Section 4.4 Hong Kong Housing Society 90 4.4.1 Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme 90 4.4.2 Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners 90 4.4.3 Voluntary Building Assessment Scheme 91
Section 4.5 Independent Commission Against Corruption 91 4.5.1 Advisory Services 91 4.5.2 Education Services 92 4.5.3 Building Management Toolkit & Building Financial Management Toolkit 92 4.5.4 Reporting Corruption 92
Section 4.6 Hong Kong Police Force 93 4.6.1 Crime Prevention Work of the Police Force 93 4.6.2 Reporting Non-corruption Related Crimes 93
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Sample Documents/Forms
Form 1 Sample Code of Conduct for Owners’ Corporations 96
Form 2 (a) Sample Probity and Anti-collusion Clauses in Tender Documents 98(b) Sample Ethical Commitment Clauses in Consultancy Agreement 102 (c) Sample Ethical Commitment Clauses in Works Contract 106
Form 3 Sample Form for Declaration of Conflict of Interest 109
Form 3A Sample Form for Declaration of Conflict of Interest (for use in tender) 111
Form 4 Sample Form for Prequalification of Consultants through Open Invitation 113
Form 5 Sample Form for Prequalification of Contractors through Open Invitation 114
Form 6 Sample Evaluation Form for Prequalification of Consultants 115
Form 7 Sample Evaluation Form for Prequalification of Contractors 116
Form 8 Sample Form for Invitation of Fee Proposals for Consultancy Agreement 118
Form 9 Sample Form for Invitation of Tenders for Works Contract 123
Form 10 Sample Record of Invitation of Tenders 124
Form 11 Sample Tender Opening Record 125
Form 12 Sample Tender Evaluation Form for Consultancy Agreement 126
Form 13 Sample Tender Evaluation Form for Works Contract 127
Form 14 Sample Notices to Tenderers, Property Owners and Occupants 128
Annexes
Annex 1 Building Defects & Maintenance Tips 132
Annex 2 Extracts from Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344) 143
Annex 3 Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version) 146
Annex 4 Notices or Directions Issued by Various Government Departments 152
Annex 5 Extracts from Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) 154
Annex 6 Contacts of ICAC 156
Annex 7 Corruption Prevention Advisory Service – Consultancy Services to Private 158
Sector
Annex 8 Useful Contacts 159
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Abbreviations
AP Authorized Person
BD Buildings Department
BMGS Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners
BMO Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344)
BMPASS Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme
BO Building Ordinance (Cap 123)
CPAS Corruption Prevention Advisory Service
DBMLT District Building Management Liaison Team
DMC Deed of Mutual Covenant
EMSD Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
FS(B)O Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap 572)
FS(CP)O Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap 502)
FSD Fire Services Department
FSI Fire Service Installation
FSWS Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme
HAD Home Affairs Department
HKHS Hong Kong Housing Society
IBMAS Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme
ICAC Independent Commission Against Corruption
MBIS Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme
MBISS Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme
MC Management Committee
OBB 2.0 Operation Building Bright 2.0
OC Owners’ Corporation
PCP Prescribed Commercial Premises
PMC Property Management Company
QP Qualified Persons
RI Registered Inspector
RGBC Registered General Building Contractor
RGE Registered Geotechnical Engineer
RMWC Registered Minor Works Contractor
RSE Registered Structural Engineer
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SCB Specified Commercial Building
UBW Unauthorized Building Works
URA Urban Renewal Authority
VBAS Voluntary Building Assessment Scheme
Acknowledgements
This Toolkit was jointly developed by the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 2008, and was subsequently updated by the ICAC in 2013
and 2019. The valuable advice and contributions from the following parties for developing and
updating the Toolkit are gratefully acknowledged:
Government Departments and Public Bodies
Buildings DepartmentFire Services DepartmentHome Affairs DepartmentHong Kong Police ForceHong Kong Housing SocietyUrban Renewal Authority
Professional BodiesThe Hong Kong Institute of ArchitectsThe Hong Kong Institution of EngineersThe Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
Revision
First Issue Date: March 2008Second Issue Date: November 2013Third Issue Date: January 2019
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How to use this Toolkit
For quick and easy reference, users will find the following icons throughout this Toolkit. They serve to
lead users to the information required:
Cross reference to the enclosed self-learning video “A Guide on Corruption Prevention in Building Maintenance”
Quick guide for assistance/useful information
Cross reference to other sections/sample forms/annexes of the Toolkit
Reference materials/guidebooks for building maintenance projects
Example/scenario in perspective
Useful checklist for building maintenance projects
Risks of corruption and malpractices
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
Useful information/knowledge for building maintenance projects
Useful template/sample
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Disclaimer
This Toolkit provides general guidance only and does not purport to deal with all possible issues that may arise in any given situation. Explanations of the legal requirements under the relevant Ordinances are necessarily general and abbreviated from the layman’s angle, and are based on those as applicable at the time of publication of this Toolkit. Steps and practices in relation to the management of building maintenance projects are by no means prescriptive or exhaustive, and do not preclude the need to seek professional technical advice and assistance from relevant professionals. Users of this Toolkit should seek legal advice or consult the relevant authorities in respect of the detailed requirements in force and professional advice and assistance in the carrying out of building maintenance projects as and when necessary. The ICAC and its partners in the production of this Toolkit will not accept any liability, legal or otherwise, for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication.
The cases and scenarios given in this Toolkit are for illustration only. No relation to any real person or entity is intended or should be inferred. Throughout this Toolkit, the male pronoun is used to cover references to both the male and female. No gender preference is intended.
Copyright
The copyright of this publication is owned by the ICAC. Interested parties are welcome to produce any part of this Toolkit for non-commercial use. Acknowledgement of this Toolkit is required.
ForewordA safe and hygienic living environment depends very much on the timely maintenance
of your buildings’ common areas and estate facilities. A building lacking in
maintenance is like a time bomb which endangers life and limb and may bring
about serious consequences to the owners. It is therefore vital for owners to carry
out maintenance works without delay. Equally important is upholding integrity and
implementing best practices in the tendering and monitoring of building maintenance
works, which are essential to help keep at bay corruption and fraud that may inflate
the maintenance costs or even jeopardise the safety of the occupants.
This Toolkit aims at providing a user-friendly guide to help Owners’ Corporations (OCs)
and owners in the planning and management of building maintenance projects. It
covers, among others, the step-by-step procedures for selecting consultants and
contractors, and for monitoring their work. It also draws readers’ attention to some
corrupt practices that may occur in building maintenance projects and recommends
preventive measures. The procedures and measures in the Toolkit are suggested best
practices only. Adoption and implementation of them would depend on the scale and
scope of individual projects and are voluntary on individual OCs, except those which
are legal requirements. OCs should seek professional advice and assistance from
qualified persons in the actual implementation as necessary. When using this Toolkit,
OCs and owners are also encouraged to watch the respective sections of the enclosed
training video “A Guide on Corruption Prevention in Building Maintenance” for cross-
reference of the overview of the corruption risks involved in building maintenance
projects and some of the key preventive measures.
The scenarios/examples used in this Toolkit are only for illustration of possible risks of
corruption and malpractices that may be adopted by some unscrupulous practitioners,
and that OCs and owners may encounter in their building maintenance projects.
No relation to any person, entity or trade is intended or should be inferred. OCs
and owners are advised to engage consultants and contractors who are not only
technically competent, but also committed to ethical practices for carrying out repair
and maintenance of their buildings.
Chapter 1Getting Started
Chapter Objectives
• Know the key processes of building maintenance
projects
• Know the building maintenance works
• Know the legal requirements relating to building
maintenance
• Know the integrity requirements
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
4
Section 1.1 Key Processes of Building Maintenance Projects
• The key processes of building maintenance projects are shown below:
Forming an Owners’ Corporation (OC)
s
refer to Section 1.2
Self-initiated / planned maintenance works
s
refer to Section 1.3
Receipt of statutory orders
s
refer to Section 1.4
Arrange OC meetings to discuss and agree on issues relating to the building maintenance project
s refer to Section 4.5.3 Building Management Toolkits
Report work completion to statutory bodies
s
refer to Section 1.4
Certify work completion
s
refer to Chapter 3
Appoint registered contractor
s
refer to Chapter 2
Appoint project consultant
s
refer to Chapter 2
Carry out maintenance/renovation works
s
refer to Chapter 3
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Section 1.2 Forming an Owners’ Corporation
• Effective building management and timely maintenance help provide a pleasant
and comfortable living environment for the owners, and ensure that the value of
their property will not be adversely affected due to poor management and lack of
maintenance of the building.
• The formation of an Owners’ Corporation (OC) under the Building Management
Ordinance (BMO) is the first step to effective building management and
maintenance. It is also in the interests of all property owners to actively participate
in the operations of their OCs, including the management and maintenance of
their buildings.
Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344)
• The BMO was enacted to provide a legal framework for the formation of
OC and to incorporate mandatory terms in the Deed of Mutual Covenant
(DMC). It sets out the powers and duties of an OC and its meeting
procedures so as to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the OC and
compliance by owners.
• Non-compliance of the BMO may render the acts done or resolutions
passed by the OC or its Management Committee (MC) invalid. Any
member of an MC who fails to carry out his statutory duty under the BMO
may be personally liable for any act or default made.
• The Lands Tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine any
proceedings relating to the interpretation and enforcement of the BMO.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Owners’ Corporation and Management Committee
• An OC is a body corporate set up in accordance with the BMO. It acts
legally on behalf of all owners in managing the common parts of the
building, and exercises and performs the rights, powers, privileges and
duties of the owners under the BMO. An OC is also empowered to appoint
a property management company (PMC) in managing the common parts
of the building and to monitor its work.
• To deal with matters on building management promptly and effectively,
an MC is appointed to handle the day-to-day operation of the OC. Under
normal circumstances, the powers and duties conferred or imposed by the
BMO shall be exercised and performed by the MC on behalf of the OC.
Deed of Mutual Covenant
• A DMC is a private contractual agreement among all the co-owners,
the manager and also the developer of a building. It sets out the rights,
interests and obligations of the parties concerned in respect of the control,
management and maintenance of private / common parts and facilities of
buildings. It is usually formed and entered into by the developer, the first
purchaser of a unit in the building and the manager (if appointed).
• Terms in the DMC include, among others, the definition of the common
areas of the building, the ownership of such common areas, the
allocation of undivided shares among building owners, the specification of
management fee, the formation of OC, the restriction to building owners,
and the resolution on matters concerning building management and
maintenance.
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Need help for formation and operation of OC?
Home Affairs Department
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) provides assistance and advice to owners of
private buildings on formation and operation of OCs in compliance with BMO, such
as convening of OC meetings, use of proxy and conducting of procurement.
Section 4.2 Home Affairs Department
Urban Renewal Authority and Hong Kong Housing Society
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS)
provide financial assistance and technical advice to property owners for, among other
things, formation of OCs and management and maintenance of their buildings under
various building maintenance assistance schemes administered by URA and HKHS.
Sections 4.3 & 4.4 Urban Renewal Authority & Hong Kong Housing Society
Building Management Toolkits
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), in collaboration with
relevant Government Departments and public organisations, has compiled a Building Management Toolkit and a Building Financial Management Toolkit, which
provide OC members with practical and user-friendly corruption prevention guides on
the daily operation and financial management of OCs.
Section 4.5.3 Building Management Toolkit & Building Financial Management Toolkit
Section 1.3 Building Maintenance Works
1.3.1 Needs for Building Maintenance• Property owners and OCs carry out building maintenance works either on their
owner initiative, or more often, in response to statutory orders, directions or
notices issued by Government Departments, such as Buildings Department and
Fire Services Department.
Section 1.4 Legal requirements relating to building maintenance
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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• It is in the interest of the owners to carry out timely maintenance works for their
buildings, as this could contain the problem of building deterioration and enhance
the value of the property.
1.3.2 Common Building Defects• Building maintenance works require professional input for the planning, design,
supervision and testing of the works required. However, as building maintenance
works are of such importance to the public and occupants’ safety and well-being
as well as the property owners’ interest, they should have basic knowledge of the
common defects of a building and the necessary types of repair works.
• In general, defects are usually found in one or more of the following building
components and associated facilities:
• building structures and finishes, e.g. defective concrete, spalling or loose
plaster in ceiling, defective internal and external wall finishes/mosaic tiles;
• fire safety construction, e.g. defective or removal of fire rated door,
unauthorized openings in the enclosure of exit staircases;
• building services installations, e.g. defective water/electricity supply
installations, drainage system, fire services installations, lifts and escalators;
• slope and retaining walls, e.g. cracked slope surface cover and drainage
channels;
• windows and external appendages, e.g. damaged hinges and fixing
anchors of windows; and
• waterproofing works, e.g. water seepage, defective waterproofing
membrane at roof.
Annex 1 Building defects and maintenance tips
Wish to know more about common building defects and various rectification measures/methods?
Building Maintenance Guidebook
The Buildings Department has published a Building Maintenance
Guidebook, which provides property owners with, among
other things, basic knowledge of common building defects and
guidelines on selecting suitable measures/methods for rectification.
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Buildings Department
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Handbook on Building Maintenance and Repair
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers has published a
Handbook on Building Maintenance and Repair, which
provides a comprehensive picture of the common defects
found in ageing buildings and steps that owners can take
to inspect their buildings and to conduct relevant repair work.
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Professional bodies
Section 1.4 Legal Requirements Relating to Building Maintenance
1.4.1 Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344)• OCs should comply with the legal requirements on letting of contracts set out in
the BMO and the Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services
(Revised Version) issued under the BMO.
Section 20A of BMO: Supplies, Goods and Services
• If the estimated project cost exceeds or is likely to exceed:
• $200,000 or
• a sum equivalent to 20% of the OC’s annual budget;
whichever is the lesser, it shall be procured by invitation to tender by the
OC.
• In addition, if the estimated project cost exceeds or is likely to exceed a
sum equivalent to 20% of the OC’s annual budget, the MC shall submit
all the tenders received to a general meeting of the OC. Whether a
tender is accepted or not shall be decided by a resolution passed by a
majority of votes at the general meeting of the OC.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Section 44 of BMO and Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services
• Pursuant to section 44(1)(a), the Secretary for Home Affairs may from
time to time prepare, revise and issue Code of Practice giving guidance
and direction as to the procurement of supplies, goods and services
required by a corporation including such procurement by invitation to
tender and the tender procedure in respect thereof.
Annex 2 Extracts from Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344)
Annex 3 Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services
(Revised Version)
1.4.2 Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123)• The building works in private buildings come within the purview of the Buildings
Ordinance (Cap 123) (BO). It ensures that safety and health standards are
maintained in the design, construction, use and maintenance of buildings, and
that regular inspections of buildings and repairs to prevent the buildings from
becoming unsafe are provided.
• There are mainly six types of statutory orders/notices issued by the Buildings
Department (BD) in relation to building repair and maintenance. The major steps
to be taken for complying with these orders are described below.
As legislative requirements may be revised over time to meet changing needs,
users of this Toolkit should consult the relevant authorities or professionals or
refer to the BD’s website (www.bd.gov.hk) or relevant guides on the latest
requirements and procedures.
Building or Drainage Works
(a) Investigation Order under Section 26A or 28 of BO• BD may issue an Investigation Order requiring the appointment of an
Authorized Person (AP) to carry out an investigation on the structural
conditions and defects of a building or its drainage system.
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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• The AP employed is required to submit to BD an assessment report on the
conditions of the building. The AP may include in the report the necessary
repair works for the approval of the Building Authority.
• If the proposed repair works are approved, BD may instruct the execution of
the works through an order served on the owner.
(b) Repair Order under Section 26 or 28 of BO• BD may issue a Repair Order that requires the appointment of an AP to
coordinate and supervise the repair of building and/or drainage system (usually
required in large scale repair).
• Owners should appoint Prescribed Registered Contractors to carry out the
remedial works.
• The owners or AP should report the completion of repair works to BD for
arranging a compliance inspection and subsequent issuance of compliance
letter.
Dangerous Hillside
(c) Investigation and Repair Order under Section 27A of BO• BD may issue an order requiring an investigation on the safety of a slope that
forms a part of a private development. Subject to the requirements specified
on the order, an AP, a Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) or a Registered
Geotechnical Engineer (RGE) or a combination of them should be appointed
to carry out the investigation.
• After the investigation, the AP/RSE/RGE should submit remedial proposals for
the approval of the Building Authority.
• Based on the advice from the AP/RSE/RGE, a registered specialist contractor in
the site formation works category or other appropriate categories should be
appointed to carry out the remedial works under the supervision of the AP/RSE/
RGE.
• Upon completion of the remedial works, the AP/RSE/RGE should report the
completion of remedial works to BD.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Unauthorized Building Works
(d) Removal Order under Section 24 of BO
• BD may issue an order requiring the demolition, removal or alteration of
Unauthorised Building Works (UBW), which have been or are being carried
out without the prior approval and consent of the Building Authority or in
contravention of any of the provisions of BO.
• In order that the required removal works can be carried out safely, BD may
require owners to employ a Prescribed Registered Contractor. Owners should
also observe the requirements contained in:
– “General guidelines on Minor Works Control System” issued by BD;
– “Safety Hints for Demolition of Unauthorized Building Works” pamphlet
issued by Labour Department; and
– "Asbestos Removal of Unauthorized Building Works" issued by the
Environmental Protection Department.
• If the removal and reinstatement works are substantial or involve structural
works, BD may require owners to engage an AP to prepare remedial proposals
and supervise the works. Prescribed Registered Contractors should also be
engaged to execute the works under the supervision of the AP.
• After completion of the removal and reinstatement works, owners should
ensure that the AP has reported to BD for arranging a compliance inspection.
BD will issue a compliance letter to the owners concerned if the removal
works are carried out satisfactorily.
Mandatory Building / Window Inspection Schemes
(e) Inspection and Repair Notice under Section 30B of BO (i.e. Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme)• BD may issue statutory notices to owners of a building aged 30 years or above
requiring a prescribed inspection and, if necessary, prescribed repair in respect
of the common parts, external walls and projections or signboards of the
building to be carried out within a specified time.
• Owners served with the notice shall appoint a Registered Inspector (RI) to
carry out the prescribed inspection within a specified time.
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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• The appointed RI shall carry out the prescribed inspection personally to
ascertain whether the building concerned has been rendered dangerous or are
liable to become dangerous.
• Where the RI considers that prescribed repairs are required, the owners shall
appoint a Registered Contractor to carry out the prescribed repairs under
the supervision of the RI, who may be the same as or different from the RI
responsible for the prescribed inspection, as the owners may decide.
• Upon completion of the prescribed inspection and prescribed repairs, the
RI so appointed shall submit an inspection report and a completion report
respectively, together with a certificate in the specified form, to BD for record
and audit check.
(f) Inspection and Repair Notice under Section 30C of BO (i.e. Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme)
• BD may issue a notice to any owner of a building aged 10 years or above
requiring a prescribed inspection and, if necessary, prescribed repair in respect
of the windows in the building to be carried out within a specified time.
• Owners served with the notice shall appoint a Qualified Person (QP) to carry
out the prescribed inspection required within a specified time.
• The appointed QP shall carry out the prescribed inspection personally to
ascertain whether the windows have been rendered dangerous or are liable to
become dangerous.
• Where the QP considers that prescribed repairs are required, the owners shall
appoint a Prescribed Registered Contractor to carry out the prescribed repairs
under the supervision of a QP, who may be the same as or different from the
QP responsible for the prescribed inspection, as the owners may decide.
• If the QP appointed for carrying out the inspection is a Prescribed Registered
Contractor, the QP may also act as the contractor to carry out the prescribed
repairs.
• Upon completion of the prescribed inspection and prescribed repairs, the
QP so appointed shall submit an inspection report and a completion report
respectively, together with a certificate in the specified form, to BD for record
and audit check.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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WHO are they?
Authorized Persons (AP), Registered Structural Engineers (RSE) and Registered Geotechnical Engineers (RGE) under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123)
• APs are qualified building professionals registered with BD to undertake
the responsibilities laid down under BO. An AP may be an architect, an
engineer or a surveyor by profession.
• By Law, any person, who wants to initiate building works, unless exempted,
should appoint an AP to submit plans for approval by BD, to co-ordinate
the whole project, to work with other professionals such as an RSE, where
structural works are involved, and an RGE, where geotechnical works are
involved, to supervise the work and to certify completion.
• For works that require the employment of an AP, RSE or RGE, BD will
indicate this requirement in the statutory order.
Registered Inspectors (RI) and Qualified Persons (QP) under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123)
• RIs appointed to carry out the prescribed inspection or supervision of the
prescribed repairs under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme may
be APs, RSEs or registered building professionals possessing relevant work
experience in the field of building construction, repair and maintenance.
• QPs appointed to carry out the prescribed inspection, supervision or
conducting of the prescribed repairs under the Mandatory Window
Inspection Scheme may be APs, RSEs, RIs or Prescribed Registered
Contractors with relevant qualifications and work experience.
• BD maintains lists of APs, RSEs, RGEs and RIs. APs, RSEs or RGEs who have
expressed interest in carrying out works in relation to building safety are
indicated in the "remark" column on the lists which are available at BD's
offices and BD's website.
Lists of APs, RSEs, RGEs & RIs: http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/inform/index_ap.html
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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WHO are they?
Prescribed Registered Contractors under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123)
• BD maintains lists of Registered General Building Contractors (RGBCs),
Registered Specialist Contractors and Registered Minor Works Contractors
(RMWCs).
• Contractors on the lists have met the stipulated standards and have passed
the assessment by a registration committee.
• RGBCs who have expressed interest in carrying out works in relation to
building safety are indicated in the “remark” column on the lists which are
available at BD’s office and on BD’s website.
Lists of Registered Contractors: http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/inform/index_ap.html
1.4.3 Fire Safety Ordinances• For better protection to the users, owners/occupiers of commercial buildings/
premises as well as composite and domestic buildings are required, under the
Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (FS(CP)O) and Fire Safety (Buildings)
Ordinance (FS(B)O) respectively, to improve the fire services installation and
equipment as well as fire safety constructions, such as fire resistant doors, in their
buildings with reference to the stipulated standards.
(a) Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap 502)
• The Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap 502) (FS(CP)O) provides
for the improvement of fire safety measures in commercial buildings built or
with building plans first submitted for approval on or before 1st March 1987;
and premises used as prescribed commercial premise such as banks, off-course
betting centres, jewellery shops, supermarkets, department stores or shopping
arcades.
Pamphlets for FS(CP)O are available at:http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/documents/pamphlet/fso502_e.pdf
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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(b) Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap 572)
• The Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap 572) (FS(B)O) provides for the
improvement of fire safety measures in composite and domestic buildings built
or with building plans first submitted for approval on or before 1st March 1987.
Pamphlets for FS(B)O are available at:http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/documents/pamphlet/fso572_e.pdf
(c) Enforcement Authorities
• The Director of Fire Services who has jurisdiction over fire service installations
and equipment; and the Director of Buildings who has jurisdiction over fire
safety construction; will serve statutory directions on the owners / occupiers
concerned as necessary.
(d) Categorisation of Target Buildings / Premises under the FS(CP)O and FS(B)O
• Prescribed Commercial Premises (PCP) – A building or part of a building is
a PCP under the scope of the FS(CP)O if it is used for carrying out commercial
activities such as banking (other than merchant banking), off-course betting,
jewellery or goldsmith's business on premises that have a security area,
supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores and shopping arcades, with
the total floor area of the building or part of which exceeds 230m2.
• Specified Commercial Buildings (SCB) – A building is a SCB under the
scope of the FS(CP)O if the building was constructed to be used or is being
used for the purposes of office, business, trade or any entertainment, and
the building was constructed on or before 1st March 1987, or the plans of the
building works of which were first submitted to the Building Authority for
approval on or before 1st March 1987.
• Composite Buildings and Domestic Buildings subject to FS(B)O – The
FS(B)O applies to a building constructed or intended to be used
– partly for domestic purposes and partly for non-domestic purposes; or
– for domestic purposes with more than 3 storeys; and
the building was constructed on or before 1st March 1987, or the building
plans of the building works of which were first submitted to the Building
Authority for approval on or before 1st March 1987.
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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(e) Issue of Statutory Directions
• Upon completion of an inspection of the premises, FSD and BD will serve
Fire Safety Directions or Fire Safety Improvement Directions separately on
the OCs/owners/occupiers as necessary, directing them to comply with the
requirements by carrying out improvement works which may include the
following:
Fire Service Installations & Equipment under the jurisdiction of the
Director of Fire Services
– Automatic sprinkler system
– Fire hydrant and hose reel system
– Manual fire alarm
– Emergency lighting
– Automatic cut-off device for mechanical ventilation system
– Portable fire extinguisher
Fire Safety Construction Requirements under the jurisdiction of the
Director of Buildings
– Provision of adequate fire escape routes
– Provision of adequate protection for fire escape routes and the integrity of
structures against fire, and for inhibition of spreading of fire
– Provision of adequate means of access for fire fighting and rescue
(f) Key Procedures to Comply with Statutory Directions
Fire Service Installation and Equipment under the Jurisdiction of Director
of Fire Services
• OCs/owners/occupiers should follow the directives in the statutory directions
and engage a project consultant or an AP (if considered necessary) for the
follow up procedures. The explanatory notes attached to the directions
provide useful advice on compliance.
• Registered Fire Service Installation (FSI) Contractors should be appointed to
carry out the improvement works relating to fire service installations.
• If the work involves a change of the FSI layout or location of the fixed
equipment, the FSI Contractor should submit FSI drawings to the Director of
Fire Services for approval.
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• Upon completion of the improvement works, the FSI Contractor should issue
a Certificate of Fire Service Installations and Equipment (FS 251) to the OCs/
owners/occupiers with a copy to the Director of Fire Services for arrangement
of a compliance inspection.
• OCs/owners/occupiers should ensure compliance with the expiry date specified
in the directions.
Fire Safety Construction Requirements under the Jurisdiction of Director of
Buildings
• OCs/owners/occupiers should follow the directives in the statutory directions
and appoint an AP as the project coordinator for the follow up procedures.
The explanatory notes attached to the directions provide useful advice on
compliance.
• If the building works for compliance affect the structure of the building (such
as addition of sprinkler water tanks / pump houses or alteration of staircases),
an AP/RSE must be engaged to submit building plans for approval and
supervise the works to be carried out by a Prescribed Registered Contractor.
Prior consent from the Building Authority must be obtained before the
commencement of works.
• OCs/owners/occupiers should observe the deadline for compliance as specified
in the directions.
• For improvement items that require provision of certified fire resistant materials
such as doors, staircase windows, and enclosure of services in staircase,
test reports/certificates issued by accredited laboratories (under the Hong
Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme) and suppliers’ certificates should
be produced. The AP acting in the interest of the OCs/owners/occupiers
should ensure that the material installed and installation method match the
specification as stated in the reports/certificates.
• Should OCs/owners/occupiers of target buildings or premises under the FS(CP)
O and FS(B)O plan to embark on building maintenance works and wish to
carry out the improvement works in one go before receipt of the directions, it
is advisable for them to approach FSD and BD.
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WHO are they?
Registered FSI Contractors under the Fire Services Ordinance (Cap 95)
• Registered FSI Contractors are divided into 3 classes for different types
of installation work. A list of Registered FSI Contractors is available for
reference at the Fire Safety Command Headquarters, Licensing and
Certification Command Headquarters, fire stations and fire protection
regional offices. The list is also available at the FSD website.
Lists of Registered FSI Contractors: http://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/cert.html
WHO are they?
Registered Lift Contractors and Engineers
• Registered Lift Engineers, Registered Lift Workers employed by Registered
Lift Contractors, or workers working under their direct supervision are the
only persons allowed to carry out lift works.
• Details of the Registered Lift Contractors can be found on the Electrical and
Mechanical Services Department’s (EMSD) website.
Registers of Registered Lift Contractors, Registered Lift Engineers and Registered Lift Workers
https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/registers/ index.html
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WHO are they?
Registered Electrical Contractors and RegisteredElectrical Workers
• Electrical work including installation, inspection, maintenance, modification,
repair and certification must be carried out by Registered Electrical
Workers of the appropriate grade employed either by Registered Electrical
Contractors or by electrical installation owners on a full-time basis.
Registered Electrical Contractors are required to display their Registration
Certificates in a prominent position at their business addresses, and
Registered Electrical Workers hold Registration Certificates issued by EMSD
for identification purpose.
• Lists of Registered Electrical Contractors and Registered Electrical Workers
can be found on the website of EMSD.
List of Registered Electrical Contractors and Registered Electrical Workers:
https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/electricity_safety/registers/index.html
WHO are they?
Licensed Plumbers
• Licensed plumbers are persons licensed under the Waterworks
Regulation to carry out plumbing work. They must be employed
to construct, install, maintain, alter, repair, or remove water supply
plumbing. A Licensed Plumber Directory is available on the Water Supplies
Department’s website.
Licensed Plumbers Directory: https://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/plumbing-engineering/licensed-plumbers/
index.html
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
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1.4.4 Statutory Orders, Directions or Notices Issued by Other Government Departments • Apart from BD and FSD, other government departments, such as Water Supplies
Department, Environmental Protection Department, Electrical and Mechanical
Services Department, etc. may also serve statutory orders, directions or notices on
owners to demand various types of rectification works.
Annex 4 Notices and directions issued by various government departments
Need help for complying with the statutory orders/ notices?
Buildings Department
For general enquiries on the procedures for complying with the statutory
orders/notices issued by BD, property owners/OCs may call BD’s enquiry hotline
at & 2626 1616 (handled by 1823).
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Buildings Department
Fire Services Department
For general enquiries on the procedures for complying with the statutory directions
issued by FSD, property owners/OCs may call FSD’s enquiry hotline at & 2723 8787.
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Fire Services Department
Other Government Departments
If property owners/OCs are in doubt of the works required to be carried out under
the statutory notice/orders, they can seek clarification from the case officers of
relevant government departments, the names and contact information of whom are
normally shown on the covering letters or explanatory notes attached to the notice/
orders.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Section 1.5 Integrity Management
1.5.1 Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201)
(Analysis講解部分 : 07’05” – 09’48”)
• The Prevention of Bribery Ordinance deals not only with bribery of government/
public officials, but also with private sector corruption.
• Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance prohibits corrupt acts of agents
when conducting the business of their principals. The following provides a gist of
the relevant provisions in the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. Property owners/
OCs should refer to the original text of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance for the
full version if necessary.
• Principal
The OC, as the legal entity representing all owners, is generally the principal
in relation to the management and maintenance of the common parts of the
buildings. A PMC, consultant or contractor is also the principal in respect of
its staff and agents.
• Agent
Members of the MC, employees of the OCs, property owners or any person
including volunteers acting on behalf of the OCs to carry out their business,
are agents of the OC. An employee of a PMC, consultant or contractor is also
an agent of the PMC, consultant or contractor.
• Advantage
– Any gift, loan, fee, reward or commission consisting of money or in kind;
– any office, employment or contract;
– any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or
other liability, whether in whole or in part;
– any other service, or favour (other than entertainment), including
protection from any penalty or disability incurred or apprehended, or from
any action or proceedings of a disciplinary, civil or criminal nature, whether
or not already instituted;
1Chapter 1 Getting Started
23
– the exercise or forbearance from the exercise of any right or any power or
duty; and
– any offer, undertaking or promise, whether conditional or unconditional,
of any advantage within the meaning of the above mentioned items.
• Entertainment
Entertainment means the provision of food or drink, for consumption on the
occasion when it is provided, and of any other entertainment connected with
or provided at the same time.
Annex 5 Extracts from Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201)
Examples of Breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance in Building Maintenance
An MC member accepts commission from a building consultant for recommending
the latter for the consultancy agreement.
A director of the project consultant solicits bribes from a contractor in return for
favouring the latter in the tendering exercise for a renovation projects.
A director of a construction company offers bribes to the Chairman of an OC in
return for the latter to assist in securing the renovation project.
A manager of a consultant offers bribes to the employee of a property
management company for assisting the consultant to exaggerate the scope or
scale of a renovation project, so as to inflate the consultancy fee.
An inspector of a consultant solicits advantage from a contractor in return for
connivance at the latter’s substandard works.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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1.5.2 Managing Conflict of Interest
(Analysis講解部分 : 03’42” – 07’05”)
(a) What is Conflict of Interest?
• A conflict of interest situation arises when the financial or personal interests
of an MC member or staff who acts on behalf of the OC in carrying out any
business relating to the building competes with or is in conflict, whether actual
or perceived, with the interest of the OC. The same applies to consultants and
contractors.
• Conflict of interest, if not handled properly, may be perceived as corruption or
abuse of power, even though the related parties have not received any actual
advantages.
Examples of Conflict of Interest in Building Maintenance
• An MC member takes part in the selection of consultant/contractor, and one of
the tenderers is owned by his family member, relative or close personal friend.
• The Chairman of an OC overseeing the maintenance project of his building
accepts luxurious and frequent entertainment offered by the contractor.
• The Secretary of an OC recommends property owners to include in tender
invitation a contractor in which he has financial interest.
• An architect of a consultant specifies in the contract document a brand name
material for building repair, the sole supplier of which is owned by his family
member, relative or close personal friend.
• A staff member of the PMC issues works orders to a contractor which is owned
by his family member, relative or close personal friend.
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(b) How to Manage Conflict of Interest?
• A Mechanism for MC Members and Staff
MC members or staff should be required to avoid and, if unavoidable, declare
to the Secretary of the OC any actual or perceived conflict of interest.
The Secretary should report the case to the Chairman of the OC for a decision
on the action to take, such as electing another member as a replacement.
Any report of conflict of interest and actions taken should be properly
recorded.
Form 3 Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest
In case the building maintenance project is carried out by way of tender, all
parties involved in the tender exercises (e.g. members of the MC, the Manager
and his staff) should each declare in writing whether he has any conflict of
interest in the tender under consideration; and undertake to declare so as
soon as he becomes aware of such a conflict.
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
• A Mechanism for Consultants and Contractors
As a first step, OCs should build in probity clauses in the consultancy
agreement/works contract, covering the requirement on declaration of conflict
of interest.
Section 1.5.4 Probity requirements for consultants and contractors
OCs should be vigilant about the possible conflict of interest between the
consultant and contractor. In selecting a contractor, the consultant should be
required to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest with the bidding
contractors.
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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Scenario in perspective
• A manager of a pr ivate company was
responsible for the letting of service agreements.
• The manager induced the company to award
the service agreements to a service provider by
false representation and concealing from the
company a conflict of interest arising from his
relationship with the service provider that he
and his wife had financial interests in it.
• The manager was charged with and convicted
for fraud against the company.
Need help for drawing up probity requirements and code of conduct, as well as for arranging probity training?
Sample Code of Conduct
Form 1 Sample Code of Conduct for Owners’ Corporations
Corruption Prevention Advice
The Corruption Prevention Advisory Service of the ICAC provides tailor-made advice
and assistance on integrity management in strict confidence, including drawing up
integrity guidelines and the code of conduct.
Section 4.5.1 Advisory Services of ICAC
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Corruption Prevention Education
The Community Relations Department of the ICAC offers free education services to
building management personnel, including arranging visits and training activities to
OCs and PMCs.
Section 4.5.2 Education Services of ICAC
1.5.3 Probity Requirements for MC Members and OC Staff• In carrying out any business relating to the building on behalf of the OC, including
building maintenance projects, the MC members and staff should:
act in the interest of the OC;
in no way solicit or accept any advantage on account of his handling the OC’s
business;
avoid as far as possible, and declare if unavoidable, any conflict of interest;
and
abstain from the discussion of matters and decision-making process where a
conflict of interest exists, as considered necessary and directed by the MC.
• The OC should lay down the probity requirements for its MC members and staff
in a code of conduct.
Form 1 Sample Code of Conduct for Owners’ Corporations
1.5.4 Probity Requirements for Consultants and Contractors• In engaging consultants and contractors for the building maintenance projects,
OCs should
build in probity and anti-collusion clauses in the tender documents, prohibiting
tenderers from communicating and fixing the amount of tender price with
other tenderers; and ethical commitment clauses in consultancy agreement/
works contract, including prohibition of acceptance of advantage, and
declaration of conflict of interest; and
Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses in tender documents
Form 2(b) Sample ethical commitment clauses in consultancy agreement
Form 2(c) Sample ethical commitment clauses in works contract
1 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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require the consultants and contractors to issue probity guidelines to their
employees, specifying restriction on acceptance of advantage and the
requirement for declaration of conflict of interest when performing duties
under the consultancy agreements or work contracts with the OC.
Chapter 2Appointing Consultants and Contractors
Chapter Objectives
• Know the key processes for appointing consultants and contractors
• Know the risks of corruption and malpractices in the appointment
processes
• Know the key preventive measures
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
30
Section 2.1 Key Processes for Appointing Consultants and Contractors
• The key processes for appointing consultants and contractors are shown below:
Draw up scope of consultancy services
s
refer to Section 2.2
Draw up scope of maintenance works
s
refer to Section 2.3
Receive and open tenders
s
refer to Section 2.7
Conduct prequalification exercise (optional)s
refer to Section 2.4
Invite tenders for consultancy services
s refer to Section 2.5
Invite tenders for works contract
s
refer to Section 2.6
Conduct post-tender negotiation with the selected/most preferred tenderer (optional)
(if considered necessary in the interest of the OC)
s
refer to Section 2.10
Award consultancy agreement/works contract
s
refer to Section 2.11
Appointing consultant Appointing contractor
Evaluate tenders for consultancy services
s
refer to Section 2.8
Evaluate tenders for works contract
s
refer to Section 2.9
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Section 2.2 Drawing up Scope of Consultancy Services
• Building maintenance works are fairly technical and complicated in nature. OCs
are advised to employ consultants to assist in the implementation of their
building maintenance projects, including identification of defects, design of
maintenance works, tendering of the works, supervision of the contractors’ work
and contract administration.
• OCs should know the essential services that are required from a consultant , and
clearly specify them in the tender documents and consultancy agreements, so as
to ensure the quality and adequacy of professional input from the consultants for
their building maintenance projects, and to avoid unnecessary disputes over the
scope of the consultancy services after commencement of the projects.
Role of project consultants
• Project consultants play an important role in selecting contractors, supervising
the quality of works and certifying payments to the contractors. Hence, it is
important for OCs to appoint the right consultants, who are not only technically
competent but also committed to ethical practices.
• Project consultants are usually qualified building professionals, such as Architects,
Engineers and Surveyors who are involved extensively in building construction,
alteration and maintenance matters. They are required to comply with the
professional ethics/code of conduct as set out by the respective professional
bodies1 and registration boards2. For building professionals who are registered
with the Buildings Department, e.g. APs, RSEs, they are also subject to the
regulation of the Building Authority according to the Buildings Ordinance (Cap
123).
1 Professional bodies include the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.
2 Registration boards include the Architects Registration Board, the Engineers Registration Boards, and the Surveyors Registration Boards.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Checklist of essential services required of the consultants for building maintenance projects
A. Before commencement of building maintenance works
Conduct building condition surveys/inspections to identify the extent and
nature of building defects and maintenance works required, and prepare
survey report for OC/owners’ information
Liaise with relevant Government Departments in relation to the compliance
with statutory requirements, where necessary
Section 1.4 Legal requirements relating to building maintenance
Provide professional advice on the scope of the maintenance works required
(e.g. any mandatory/first priority items, optional items, etc.), having regard
to the result of the building condition surveys/inspections and the statutory
requirements
Section 2.3 Drawing up scope of maintenance works
Prepare cost estimates for individual works items
Attend OC/MC meetings, as and when necessary, to answer enquiries on
matters in relation to the scope of maintenance works
Prepare tender documents, including drawings and specifications, for selection
of contractors
Conduct prequalification exercise to shortlist contractors for invitation of
tenders (optional)
Section 2.4 Conducting prequalification exercise (optional)
Invite contractors to submit tenders
Section 2.6 Inviting tenders for works contract
Receive and open tenders, and handle tender enquiries
Section 2.7 Receiving and opening tenders
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Analyse tenders and prepare tender reports to the OC with recommendations
Section 2.9 Evaluating tenders for works contract
Attend OC/MC meetings, as and when necessary, to answer enquiries on
matters in relation to the tender exercise, including the recommendations for
contract award
Assist in the conduct of post-tender negotiation, if it is considered necessary
and in the interest of the OC
Section 2.10 Conducting tender negotiation (optional)
Notify contractor of contract award on behalf of the OC
Section 2.11 Awarding consultancy agreement/works contract
Prepare contract documents and assist in drawing up schedule of owners’
contribution to maintenance costs, where necessary
Submit a site supervision plan covering the details of the site inspection
arrangements including the personnel carrying out the site inspection, the
works to be inspected, the frequency of inspections, and any tests required for
approval by the OC
B. After commencement of building maintenance works
Supervise and report on the quality of the maintenance works in accordance
with the approved site supervision plan
Report on the progress of maintenance works
Section 3.2 & 3.3 Progress monitoring & quality checks
Receive and handle enquiries/complaints from property owners/OC on any
matters in relation to the building maintenance works
Provide professional advice on variation of works, including preparing cost
estimate for the works concerned
Section 3.5 Work variations
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Process applications for interim payments and claims from the contractor
Section 3.4 Contract payments
Certify substantial completion of work and issue schedule of defects for
rectification by the contractor during defects liability period3
Section 3.6 Work completion
Monitor progress and quality of defects rectification work and issue certificate
of final completion before the end of defects liability period
Where necessary, liaise with government departments on completion of works
required by statutory orders/notices, including preparation and submission of
reports/certificates of work completion
When drawing up the scope of consultancy services for building
maintenance projects, OCs may make reference to the guidelines
published by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. The
guidelines (in Chinese only) can be downloaded at
http://www.hkis.org.hk/hkis/general/bsd/bsd-agreement_200808.pdf
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Lack of clarity or comprehensiveness in the scope of consultancy services, resulting
in manipulation in the selection process
M Subsequent dispute, inadequate/poor services, and/or need to acquire ‘additional’
services at higher cost
M Inclusion of unnecessary and costly consultancy services
3 Defects liability period commences from the date of substantial completion to the date specified in the works contract. During this period, the contractor is responsible for making good any defects found in the works carried out.
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
35
Scenario in perspective
• An OC invited tenders from consultants to oversee its building
maintenance project. As the OC lacked knowledge on the essential
services required of the consultant, it had not clearly specified the
scope and extent of consultancy services in the tender document.
• An unscrupulous consultant, noting the deficiency, submitted an
exceptionally low bid, which the other responsible consultants
proposing the necessary services and quality could not beat, to
secure the consultancy agreement. Throughout the project, the
consultant asked for additional and high fees as and when some of
the essential services, e.g. liaison with Government Departments,
which had not been included in the consultancy agreement, were
needed.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When drawing up the scope of consultancy services for building maintenance
projects, OCs/MCs4 are advised to:
– determine and include the essential/important consultancy services required
of the consultants that are necessary to ensure effective management and
implementation of their building maintenance projects, making reference to
the checklist above;
– consider carefully the genuine need for any non-essential and not commonly
required services, having regard to the scale and complexity of their building
maintenance projects, and avoid including unnecessary requirements that may
serve to ward off or reduce genuine competition;
4 The tips for preventing corruption and malpractices provided in this Toolkit are tailored for members of MCs (for building with OCs) or representatives of property owners (for buildings without OCs) responsible for overseeing the implementation of their building maintenance projects. Individual property owners are advised to actively participate in OCs/owners’ meetings to discuss/agree on matters in relation to their building maintenance projects.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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– clearly specify the required services in the tender documents/consultancy
agreement in detail to avoid unnecessary disputes in the future.
Section 2.5 Inviting tenders for consultancy agreement
Section 2.3 Drawing up Scope of Maintenance Works
• The scope and extent of building maintenance works of different buildings may
vary significantly, depending on the age, location and level of regular maintenance
of the buildings concerned. As building maintenance works are usually
complicated and technical in nature, building consultants are generally responsible
for drawing up the scope of maintenance works required, based on the findings
of the building condition surveys/inspections and the requirements of the statutory
notices/orders, where applicable, for approval by the property owners/OCs.
• Nevertheless, it is desirable for property owners/OCs to understand the conditions
and needs of their buildings and have basic knowledge of common building
maintenance works so as to safeguard their interests as far as possible and ensure
that the proposed repair works items, in particular those that are expensive, are
genuinely needed.
Section 1.3 Building maintenance works
Checklist of common repair works items in building maintenance projects
Scaffolding (棚架工程 )
Repair of reinforced concrete structures and external rendering/tiles (混凝土結
構 /批盪修葺工程 ), such as:
conducting hammer tapping tests ( 鎚 敲 測 試 ) to identify the extent of
defective reinforced concrete structures (e.g. slabs, beams, columns, walls),
and loose external rendering and tiles
repairing defective reinforced concrete structures, and loose rendering and
tiles
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
37
Refurbishment of external walls (外牆油漆 /翻新工程 )
Repair or replacement of windows (窗户維修/更換工程 )
Repair or replacement of water mains (水管維修/更換工程 )
Repair or replacement of communal building sanitary services (公用排水系統維修
/更換工程 ), such as:
repairing/replacing defective drainage, including underground drains (去水渠,
包括地下渠管 )
Repair or improvement of fire safety construction and completion of annual
maintenance of fire service installations and equipment (消防安全改善工程和為消
防裝置及設備進行年檢 )
When preparing the specifications for the building maintenance
projects, OCs may make reference to the General Specification for
Building Maintenance Works for Residential Building published by
the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. It can be downloaded at
http://www.hkis.org.hk/ufiles/BSD-GSMainFull.pdf
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Lack of clarity in specifications of maintenance works and materials, resulting in
manipulation in the selection process and subsequent variations at higher costs
M Ordering of unnecessary and costly maintenance works
M Use of brand name/restrictive specifications for repair materials to favour the
material supplier
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
38
Scenario in perspective
• An OC appointed a consultant to oversee the maintenance project
of its building for, among other things, complying with statutory
repair orders.
• The consultancy fee was based on a specified percentage of the
total cost of the maintenance works carried out, i.e. the higher the
maintenance works cost, the higher the consultancy fee.
• The unscrupulous consultant exaggerated the requirements of
the repair order and severity of the defects found in the building
surveys/inspections, and specified expensive materials that are not
necessary.
• As a result, the OC carried out unnecessary works and paid an
unnecessarily higher consultancy fee.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When approving the scope of works for their building maintenance projects, OCs/
MCs are advised to:
– require the consultant to clearly distinguish the essential/mandatory works
items (e.g. works items required under the statutory notices/orders) from the
non-essential works items (e.g. improvement works);
– require the consultant to provide estimated quantities and costs for individual
works items to facilitate determination of the scope of maintenance works to
be carried out, budgeting and tender comparison;
Section 2.9 Evaluating tenders for works contract
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
39
– where practicable, engage an independent consultant, e.g. a quantity
surveyor, to provide cost estimate/advice on the proposed works items for
reference;
– require the consultant to avoid using brand name repair material specifications
or restrictive specifications that only a single brand of repair material can meet,
unless there are justifiable grounds;
– require the consultant to specify the finalised scope of maintenance works
in the tender document/works contract in detail to avoid disputes in the
future.
Section 2.6 Inviting tenders for works contract
Section 2.4 Conducting Prequalification Exercise (Optional)
• Prequalification is a screening exercise conducted to shortlist consultants or
contractors who have met the laid down qualifying requirements for the
purpose of invitation to bid, i.e. only the prequalified consultants or contractors
will be invited to tender.
• For large scale or complicated building maintenance projects, where consultants
or contractors with specific expertise/experience are required, prequalification of
consultants or contractors may only be considered.
• For most building maintenance projects where the qualifying requirements are
common (e.g. registration status, relevant past experience), a prequalification
exercise is not recommended and the qualifying requirements could be included
as tender requirements in the tender invitation.
• While a prequalification exercise may be useful/necessary for certain projects,
property owners/OCs should be mindful that any unnecessary barriers would
restrict tender competition.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
40
Checklist of common qualifying requirements for prequalification
Registration status (e.g. Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers,
Registered Inspectors, Registered General Building Contractors/ Registered Minor
Works Contractors)
Section 1.4 Legal requirements relating to building maintenance
Company resource and financial strength (e.g. number of professional and
technical staff)
Past experience relating to building maintenance (e.g. number of completed/
ongoing building projects for the past three years)
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Use of unnecessary/irrelevant and overly restrictive prequalifying requirements to
deter or bar potential tenderers
M Change or addition of prequalifying requirements during the prequalification
vetting to screen out otherwise qualified/suitable contractors
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
41
Scenario in perspective
• Assisted by its consultant, an OC conducted a prequalification
exercise to shortlist contractors for invitation to tender for its
building maintenance project.
• To ensure that only contractors from his syndicate would be invited
to tender, the unscrupulous consultant recommended the OC to
adopt a set of overly demanding qualifying requirements, some
of which irrelevant to or totally unnecessary for the project, e.g.
possessing experience in new building construction works.
• As a result, otherwise suitable contractors not belonging to the
syndicate were screened out, and those in the syndicate rigged the
tender and offered inflated bids.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• Before deciding to conduct a prequalification exercise for their building
maintenance project, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– consider carefully whether a prequalification is genuinely needed, having
regard to the scale and complexity of their project;
• If it is decided to conduct a prequalification exercise, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– conduct open invitation for expression of interest and application for
prequalification for the consultancy agreement/maintenance works contract
Form 4 Sample open invitation for prequalification of consultants
Form 5 Sample open invitation for prequalification of contractors
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
42
– require justifications and critically assess the need and relevance of all
proposed qualifying requirements;
– include only the necessary and relevant qualifying requirements, which should
be as objective as practicable and resolved in OC/MC meeting before issuing
invitation to bid;
Form 6 Sample evaluation form for prequalification of consultants
Form 7 Sample evaluation form for prequalification of contractors
– disclose the qualifying requirements to all potential /interested consultants or
contractors in the invitation documents to enhance transparency;
– do not change the prequalifying requirements during the process of
prequalification vetting;
– if a prequalification exercise results in too few contractors qualified, critically
review the prequalifying requirements and if necessary conduct a fresh
exercise.
Section 2.5 Inviting Tenders for Consultancy Agreement
(Analysis講解部分 : 10’00” – 12’50”)
• Before inviting consultants to submit tenders for building maintenance projects,
property owners/OCs need to decide the method of tender invitation and
prepare the tender documents .
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
43
Methods of tender invitation for consultancy agreement
Method of invitation
Remark
Open tendering • Tenders are openly invited from consultants
through open/public channels, such as putting
advertisement in newspapers.
• I f a prequalif ication exercise is adopted,
expressions of interest are openly invited from
consultants in a way similar to the above, and
those who have expressed interest and fulfilled
the prequalifying requirements are then invited to
tender.
Section 2.4 Conducting prequalification
exercise (optional)
Selective/Restricted
tendering
• Tenders are invited from only a pre-determined list
of consultants drawn up using certain method (e.g.
references provided by other OCs) and/or based
on certain criteria.
Checklist of essential items in the tender documents
Scope of consultancy services
Section 2.2 Drawing up scope of consultancy services
Tender conditions
Probity and anti-collusion clauses
Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses in tender documents
Date, time and location for submission of tenders
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Pricing schedule for consultancy services
General terms and conditions of consultancy agreement
Payment arrangements (e.g. stage payment)
Insurance
Termination of services
Form 8 Sample invitation of fee proposals for consultancy agreement
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Appointing a consultant recommended/nominated by a contractor who is a
potential tenderer for the project or who has been engaged directly for some
reasons
M Relying on a single person (e.g. one MC member or Management Office staff
member) to source the list of potential consultants when conducting selective
tendering
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
45
Scenario in perspective
• The proprietor of a contractor was a personal friend of the MC
Chairman of a building. The Chairman recommended the OC to
engage a consultant introduced to him by the contractor without
going through a tender process, and without declaring the
relationships to the MC.
• In helping the OC conduct a tender exercise to appoint a contractor
for the building’s renovation, the consultant favoured and assisted
the contractor to secure the contract, and subsequently connived at
the contractor’s substandard works and use of inferior materials.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When inviting consultants to submit tenders for building maintenance projects,
OCs/MCs are advised to:
– As far as practicable, adopt open tendering, such as putting advertisement on
newspapers, to enhance tender competition and minimise the risks of tender
collusion;
If it is decided to adopt selective/restricted tendering, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– observe the statutory requirement on the minimum number of tenders to be
invited as set out in the BMO and the Code of Practice on Procurement of
Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version);
Annexes 2 & 3 Extracts from BMO and Code of Practice on
Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version)
– avoid inviting consultants referred or employed by contractor, who is the
potential tenderer for the maintenance works contract, to ensure the
impartiality of the consultant appointed, and do not rely on a single person to
source and draw up the shortlist of consultants;
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
46
– appoint a panel comprising representatives of property owners, MC members
and property management companies, if any, to draw up a list of consultants
for invitation of tenders;
Form 10 Sample record of invitation of tenders
– make reference to the lists of consultants maintained by various Government
Departments, public organisations or professional bodies and consult other
OCs who have completed renovation projects satisfactorily when sourcing
potential consultants, and ensure a sufficient number of consultants on the
invitation list;
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Professional bodies
– assign an MC/staff member not responsible for sending out invitations to
verify with the potential tenderers who have expressed interest or are on the
invitation list that they have received the invitation;
– require all parties involved in the tender exercises (e.g. members of the MC,
the Manager and his staff) should each declare in writing whether he has any
conflict of interest in the tender under consideration; and undertake to declare
so as soon as he becomes aware of such a conflict.
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
• When preparing the tender documents for invitation of tenders, OCs/MCs are
advised to:
– specify clearly in the invitation documents the deadline for submission of
tenders;
– include probity and anti-collusion clauses in the tender invitation;
Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses in tender documents
– include in the tender invitation a requirement for the consultants to submit
staffing proposals (i.e. responsibilities and degree of involvement of individual
key personnel) and breakdown of consultancy fees (i.e. fees for the services
at various stages) to facilitate assessment of sufficiency of manpower and
reasonableness of consultancy fees;
Section 2.8 Evaluating tenders for consultancy agreement
– avoid charging potential tenderers administrative fees for participating in the
tendering exercise.
Template for Submission of Staffing Proposal and Fee Breakdown
Estimated Time for Each Stage (Month)
Allocation of Working Hours (Total Estimated Working Hours of Each Stage) Consultancy
Services Fee (HK$)Authorized
Person(1 No.)
Project Manager
(1 No.)
Project Assistant ( No)
Preliminary Proposal and Cost Estimate(Include building condition survey, develop design brief, cost estimate a n d l i a i s e w i t h g o v e r n m e n t authorities)
Preparation of Tender Document(Compiling all tender documents include design drawings, advise tendering procedures and work arrangement)
Tendering Stage(Conduct tender analysis and compile report)
Pre –construction Stage(Adv ise on fund contr ibut ion, contract compiling, review and approval of documents)
Construction Stage(Project monitoring and all contract administration works)
Completion Work and Maintenance Stage(Complet ion work inspec t ion, monitoring and follow up action during maintenance period)
Total Working Period Total Consultancy Fee(HK$)
Remark 1. The above-mentioned work include attend management committee meeting/ ordinary general meeting to report and discuss issue related to the repair works.
2. The estimated time for each stage shall strictly follow the progress requirement of operation building bright
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Section 2.6 Inviting Tenders for Works Contract
(Analysis講解部分 : 12’50” – 16’40”)
• Depending on the nature of the maintenance works required, property owners/
OCs should employ registered contractors of relevant disciplines to carry out the
maintenance works.
Section 1.4 Legal requirement relating to building maintenance
• Similar to inviting tenders for consultancy agreement, property owners/OCs,
with the assistance of their consultants, need to determine the method of tender
invitation and prepare the tender documents .
• Although the consultants employed are responsible for drafting the tender
documents which usually involve technical and contractual matters, it is advisable
for property owners/OCs to check to ensure that essential terms and conditions
have been included in the tender documents.
Methods of tender invitation for maintenance works contract
Method of invitation
Remark
Open tendering • Tenders are openly invited from contractors through
open/public channels, such as putting advertisement in
newspapers.
• If a prequalification exercise is adopted, expressions of
interest are openly invited from contractors in a way
similar to the above, and those who have expressed
interest and fulfilled the prequalifying requirements are
then invited to tender.
Section 2.4 Conducting prequalification exercise
(optional)
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
49
Method of invitation
Remark
Selective/Restricted
tendering
• Tenders are invited from only a pre-determined list
of limited number of contractors drawn up using a
certain method (e.g. references provided by other OCs)
and/or based on certain criteria.
Checklist of essential items in the tender documents
Tender conditions
Probity and anti-collusion clauses
Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses in tender documents
Date, time and location for return of tenders
Scope of maintenance works and specifications
Section 2.3 Drawing up scope of maintenance works
Pricing schedule for works items
Terms and conditions of maintenance works contracts
Payment arrangements subject to certification by the consultant on the work
done
Insurance
Defects liability period
Liquidated damages
Extension of time
Material guarantees
Surety bond/retention money
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Termination clause
Dispute resolution clause
Form 9 Sample invitation of tenders for works contract
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Unscrupulous consultants inviting tenders only from contractors within their
syndicates, and deterring other potential contractors to tender
M Charging high “administrative fee” for submitting tender to deter interested
contractors outside the syndicates to tender
M Relying on the consultant to source the list of potential contractors when
conducting selective tendering
Scenario in perspective
• An unscrupulous consultant of a building maintenance project
recommended the OC to go for selective tendering, so he may
invite tenders only from contractors within his syndicate, but the OC
decided to go for open tendering.
• The consultant then tried to deter other contractors from bidding by
indicating his name in the tender invitation to scare off contractors
who know his practice, and recommending the OC to charge a high
“administration fee” to bar contractors who do not.
• As a result, the consultant and his syndicate easily rigged the tender
exercise.
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When inviting contractors to submit tenders for building maintenance projects,
OCs/MCs are advised to:
– As far as practicable, adopt open tendering, such as putting advertisement on
newspapers, to enhance tender competition and minimise the risks of tender
collusion;
– invite tenders/expressions of interest from contractors through various means,
such as putting advertisement on newspapers and displaying a copy of the
tender invitation in a prominent place in the building;
– refrain from indicating the name of the consultant in the advertisement,
tender invitation documents and tender box;
If it is decided to adopt selective/restricted tendering, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– observe the statutory requirement on the minimum number of tenders to be
invited as set out in the BMO and the Code of Practice on Procurement of
Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version);
Annexes 2 & 3 Extracts from BMO and Code of Practice on
Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version)
– appoint a panel comprising representatives of property owners, MC members,
consultants and property management companies, if any, to draw up a list of
contractors for invitation of tenders;
Form 10 Sample record of invitation of tenders
– make reference to the lists/registers of contractors maintained by various
Government Departments and public organisations, and consult other OCs
who have completed renovation projects satisfactorily for sourcing potential
contractors, and ensure sufficient number of contractors are included on the
invitation list;
Annex 8 Useful contacts
– do not solely rely on the consultant to recommend the invitation list, and the
panel should add a number of contractors (e.g. from the above sources) to the
list proposed by the consultant;
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– assign an MC/staff member not responsible for sending out invitations to
verify with the potential tenderers who have expressed interest or are on the
invitation list that they have received the invitation;
– require all members of the panel to declare whether or not they have any
conflict of interest arising from their relationship with the contractors on the list;
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
• When preparing the tender documents, OCs/MCs are advised to require the
consultant to:
– specify clearly in the invitation documents the deadline for submission of
tenders;
– include probity and anti-collusion clauses in the tender invitation;
Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses in tender documents
– include in the tender invitation a requirement for the contractors to submit
the estimated quantities and breakdown of tender prices for individual major
works items to facilitate assessment of reasonableness of the prices;
Section 2.9 Evaluating tenders for works contract
– refrain from charging potential tenderers an administrative fee for participating
in the tendering exercise.
Section 2.7 Receiving and Opening Tenders
(Analysis講解部分 : 16’52” – 19’56”)
• Tenders submitted by consultants or contractors for building maintenance
projects are normally received using tender box located at a prominent place in
the buildings concerned. It is important for property owners/OCs to put in place
measures to safeguard the security/confidentiality of the tender documents and
the information contained therein.
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
53
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M No requirement for tenderers to submit tenders in sealed envelops, and tenders
received by hand by the consultant or MC/staff member may expose the tenders
to risk of leakage or tampering
M Accepting a late tender, with the risk that the other tenderers’ bids may have been
leaked to the latecomer
Scenario in perspective
• An OC invited tenders from consultants for building maintenance
works. One MC member was entrusted to keep the key to the
tender box. He opened and collected the tenders submitted from
the tender box everyday and kept them in his own home.
• Bribed by one of the consultants invited to tender, the MC member
opened the tenders and leaked the bids to the consultant, and then
resealed the tenders.
• The consultant submitted the lowest bid after the deadline.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
54
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When receiving and opening tenders, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– use a double-locked tender box with keys separately held by different persons,
such as the MC Chairman and the treasurer;
– keep the tender box in a prominent and secure place in the building until the
opening time;
– in the tender invitation, advise tenderers to deposit the tenders directly into
the tender box, and require any staff/MC member to deposit any tenders
received by post or other means into the tender box immediately;
– assign an opening team comprising representatives of property owners or MC
(preferably at least 3 MC Members), consultant and property management
company to open the tenders immediately after the submission deadline;
– require members of the tender opening team to countersign and date each of
the tenders received and keep the duplicate copies of the tenders for checking
in the future, if available, or keep a record of the tenders (including the
tenderer and his bid) received if duplicate copies are not available;
Form 11 Sample tender opening record
– reject late tenders received after the tender submission deadline and return
them unopened to the tenderers concerned;
– keep tenders under lock before tender evaluation.
Section 2.8 Evaluating Tenders for Consultancy Agreement
• For evaluation of tenders for consultancy agreement, price may not be the only
consideration. Non-price factors may also be considered to ensure competency
and adequacy of the professional input from the consultants to the building
maintenance projects.
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
55
Checklist of common non-price factors
Consultant’s relevant experience in overseeing building maintenance projects
of similar scope and complexity (e.g. with individual project value over $
million in the past years)
Consultant’s company resources and current workload, i.e. the number
of full-time/part-time professional and technical staff, e.g. APs, RSEs, resident
inspectors of works and works supervisor, and the number and details of on-
going projects
Consultant’s staffing proposal for the building maintenance project:
Qualifications and relevant experience of key personnel (e.g. Authorized Person,
project manager, inspector of works)
Responsibilities and degree of involvement of key personnel (e.g. proposed
man/hours of individual key personnel)
Consultant’s past performance
Letters of recommendations from previous employers/OCs
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Unscrupulous MC member favouring a consultant in tender evaluation, such as
by:
u making untrue/unfair comments on the performance of other tenderers;
u changing the evaluation criteria, adding new and irrelevant criteria/
requirements to screen out the lowest bidder, etc. during evaluation.
M Accepting a tender (for consultancy) with an unreasonably low bid without regard
to the implication on the quality of service or risk of malpractice.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
56
Scenario in perspective
• An OC invited open tenders for the selection of consultants for
its building maintenance project. A consultant submitted a bid
of a fixed amount that was unreasonably low. When queried,
the consultant made up excuses such as only aiming at gaining a
reference in the district, having a number of projects in the district
that shared out the overhead costs, etc. The OC was attracted by
the low price and voted for the consultant.
• When implementing the project, the consultant accepted rebates
from the contractor, who colluded with other tenderers to inflate
the prices of the maintenance works required, and used inferior
materials with the consultant’s connivance. In the end, the OC
paid much more than what they would have for their maintenance
works that were inferior in quality.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When conducting evaluation of tenders for consultancy agreement, OCs/MCs are
advised to:
– assign a tender assessment panel which may comprise representatives from
property owners, MC and the property management company (if any) to
assess the tenders;
– require all members of the panel to declare whether or not they have any
conflict of interest arising from their relationship with the tenderers;
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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– determine the evaluation criteria, e.g. any essential/mandatory non-price
factors, before tender opening;
Form 12 Sample tender evaluation form for consultancy agreement
– disclose the broad evaluation criteria to all tenderers in the tender invitation;
– do not change the evaluation criteria after tender opening;
– assess the reasonableness of the consultancy fees, based on the consultants’
proposed manpower input and the fees breakdown for consultancy services
at various stage5, or making reference to the fee scale published by the Hong
Kong Institute of Surveyors or practices of reputable firms;
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Professional bodies
– justify and document the reasons if the best offer determined according to the
evaluation criteria is not recommended.
Section 2.9 Evaluating Tenders for Works Contract
(Analysis講解部分 : 19’56” – 22’58”)
• In evaluating tenders for building maintenance contracts, building consultants are
responsible for, among other things, drawing up the evaluation criteria, conducting
evaluation of tenders received, and preparing detailed evaluation reports with
recommendations to assist property owners/OCs to select the contractor.
• In general, tenders for building maintenance contracts are assessed using a lowest-
price conforming tender approach, under which tenders from contractors who
have fulfilled the mandatory/qualifying requirements and submitted conforming
tenders are ranked in accordance with the tender prices, i.e. the conforming
tender with the lowest price will be ranked first, and so on.
Section 2.4 Conducting prequalification exercise (optional)
5 Property owners/OCs may determine whether the professional fees are realistic by dividing it by the consultant’s proposed manpower input to work out the average salary of the staff and comparing that with the market rate.
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
58
Checklist of essential items in tender evaluation report
Brief description of the contract
Details of invitation, including
Method of tender invitation, e.g. open tendering/selective tendering
Section 2.6 Inviting tenders for works contract
Tender invitation date, closing date and validity period
Information (e.g. number & name) on contractors who have expressed
interests/collected tender documents (for open tendering) or who have been
invited to tender (for selective tendering)
Details of tender submissions, including
Tenders received, e.g. names of the tenderers and their tender sums
Contractors who have expressed interests/collected tender documents (for
open tendering) or who have been invited to tender (for selective tendering)
but have not submitted tenders, and the reasons, if known
Assessment and recommendation, including
Compliance status of tenderers with the tender specifications, including
details of any non-compliant and disqualified tenderers with justifications and
supporting documents
Comparison of tender prices and quantities, including the prices/quantities
of individual major works items, with the project cost/quantity estimated by
the consultant and that of maintenance projects for similar buildings in the
districts, and the reasons for any substantial deviation
Recommendation with justifications and supporting documents for
consideration of OC/property owners in OC/owners’ meeting (including the
reasons for not recommending particular tenderer(s))
Declaration of conflict of interest of OC members/property owners/staff of
consultant and PMC involved in the tender assessment
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
59
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Unscrupulous consultant or MC member may favour a contractor in tender
evaluation by:
u making untrue/unfair comments on the performance of other tenderers
especially those with lower bids;
u changing the evaluation criteria, adding new and irrelevant criteria/
requirements to screen out the lowest bidder, etc. during evaluation;
u suggesting to negotiate with a particular tenderer who is not the lowest
bidder, giving only this tenderer the chance to revise his bid after tender
evaluation; etc.
Scenario in perspective
• An OC, assisted by its consultant, invited tenders for a building
maintenance project through open tendering. The tenders were
evaluated by the consultant using a lowest-price conforming tender
approach.
• Noting that the contractor who belonged to its syndicate ranked
third, the consultant recommended the OC to reject the first and
the second ranking tenderers, claiming that one of them had
poor performance track records (without providing any objective
evidence or reference information), and the other had not submitted
the company’s financial information for assessment of its financial
well-being (this was not a requirement in the tender invitation nor a
evaluation criteria).
• The OC accepted the consultant’s recommendation without
requiring supporting information or justification.
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Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When conducting evaluation of tenders for maintenance works contract, OCs/
MCs are advised to:
– assign a tender assessment panel, which may comprise representatives
from property owners, MC, the consultant, and the property management
company (if any);
– require all members of the panel to declare whether or not they have any
conflict of interest arising from their relationship with the tenderers;
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
– determine the evaluation criteria, e.g. any mandatory/qualifying requirements,
before tender opening;
Form 13 Sample tender evaluation form for works contract
– disclose the broad evaluation criteria to all tenderers in the tender invitation;
– do not change the evaluation criteria after tender opening;
– assess the reasonableness of the tender prices, based on the estimated
quantities and breakdown of prices for individual major works items6, or
making reference to the building maintenance cost range published by the
Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, or costs of similar projects of other similar
buildings, if available;
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Professional bodies
– for a high value, complicated project, consider engaging an independent
consultant / quantity surveyor for third party advice on the estimated
maintenance costs and tender prices for the major works items involved;
– justify and document the reasons if the lowest conforming tender/best offer
determined according to the evaluation criteria is not recommended.
6 Property owners/OCs may determine whether the tender prices for individual major works items are reasonable by dividing it by
the estimated quantities to work out the unit rate for individual major works items and comparing that with the market rate.
2Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Section 2.10 Conducting Tender Negotiation (Optional)
(Analysis講解部分 : 23’00” – 25’25”)
• After tender evaluation, some property owners/OCs may wish to get a better
bargain and hence conduct negotiation with the tenderers for reduction of their
tender prices. However, they should be wary of the opportunity for corruption
and manipulation that this may open up.
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Only negotiating with a particular consultant/ contractor who is not the lowest
bidder or best tenderer
M Negotiating with all or a number of tenderers at the same time, rendering the
previous tender exercise meaningless, and running the risk of unfair leakage of
tender information to a particular tenderer for corrupt purpose
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
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Scenario in perspective
• An OC invited tenders from contractors for a building maintenance
project through open tendering. After evaluation of the tenders
received, instead of awarding the contract to the contractor with the
lowest price, the consultant strongly recommended the third-ranking
contractor for reasons of better quality and track record (without
supporting evidence/information), and suggested conducting tender
negotiation with this contractor to allow the latter a chance to lower
its price.
• It turned out the consultant was connected with that particular
contractor, and favoured it because it was willing to give rebates to
the consultant. The consultant guided the latter to make an offer
that just beat the lowest bid.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To minimise the risks of corruption and malpractices, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– avoid conducting tender negotiation;
• If it is decided to conduct tender negotiation to gain a price reduction, OCs/MCs
are advised to:
– seek the OC’s endorsement of the tender evaluation result, with the tenderers
ranked, and approval for the plan to conduct tender negotiation;
– conduct tender negotiation only with the tenderer with the highest ranking
(where there are practical difficulties or genuine needs, OC/MC may conduct
tender negotiation with no more than three tenderers that are within very
close range in terms of their bids);
– assign a negotiation team which may comprise representatives from property
owners, MC and the property management company (if any) to conduct the
tender negotiation;
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63
– require all members of the negotiation team to declare whether or not they
have any conflict of interest arising from their relationship with the tenderer
concerned;
Form 3A Sample form for declaration of conflict of interest (for use in tender)
– lay down the negotiation guidelines, including:
prohibiting disclosure of other tenderers’ bids
prohibiting any change of tender requirements and evaluation criteria to
favour a particular tenderer
documenting the negotiation and the results
requiring the tenderer(s) to submit the “best and final” offer in writing
after negotiation, following the standard requirements on receipt and
opening of tenders
Section 2.7 Receiving and opening tenders
Section 2.11 Awarding Consultancy Agreement/Works Contract
• After approval by the OC meeting on the appointment of a consultant/contractor,
the MC (with the assistance of the consultants in the case of a works contract),
needs to prepare the formal consultancy agreement or works contract for
signing and issue to the winning consultant or contractor .
Checklist of essential terms and conditions of the consultancy agreement
Scope of consultancy services
Section 2.2 Drawing up scope of consultancy services
Payment arrangements (e.g. stage payment)
Payment for additional services
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Insurance
Suspension, resumption or termination
Ethical commitment clauses on
prohibition against offering / acceptance of advantages
declaration of conflict of interest
confidentiality of contract information
Form 2(b) Sample ethical commitment clauses in consultancy agreement
Checklist of essential terms and conditions of the works contract
Scope of maintenance works and specifications
Section 2.3 Drawing up scope of maintenance works
Pricing schedule for works items as tendered
Terms and conditions of maintenance works contracts
Payment arrangements subject to certification by the consultant on the work
done
Insurance
Defects liability period
Liquidated damages
Extension of time
Material guarantees
Surety bond/retention money
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65
Termination clause
Dispute resolution clause
Ethical commitment clauses on
u prohibition against offering / acceptance of advantages
u declaration of conflict of interest
u confidentiality of contract information
Form 2(c) Sample ethical commitment clauses in works contract
Reference for drawing consultancy agreement/works contract
• When preparing the consultancy agreement/works contract, property owners/
OCs may make reference to the sample agreements/contract documents
published by the professional bodies, e.g. the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors,
the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. For more details, please contact the
professional bodies.
Annex 8 Useful contacts – Professional bodies
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• When approving the award of consultancy agreement/works contract, OCs/MCs
are advised to:
– comply with the requirements on acceptance of tender set out in the
BMO;
Section 1.4 Legal requirements relating to building maintenance
2 Chapter 2 Appointing Consultants and Contractors
66
• After approving the award of consultancy agreement/works contract, OCs/MCs
are advised to:
– notify all tenderers, property owners and occupants in writing of the tender
result;
Form 14 Sample notices to tenderers, property owners and occupants
– properly keep all tender documents, contracts and receipts, etc. for at least
six years and make available for inspection by property owners/tenants and
relevant Government departments, as and when necessary.
Chapter 3Supervising Maintenance Works and Managing Contracts
Chapter Objectives
• Know the key processes for supervising building
maintenance works and managing contracts
• Know the risks of corruption and malpractices in the
processes
• Know the key preventive measures
3 Chapter 3 Supervising Maintenance Works and Managing Contracts
68
Section 3.1 Key Processes for Supervision of Maintenance Works and Management of Contracts
• The key processes for supervising maintenance works and managing contracts are
shown below:
Carry out maintenance/renovation works
Commencement of works
Progress monitoring
t refer to Section 3.2
Contract payments
t refer to Section 3.4
Work completion
t refer to Section 3.6
Defects rectification
t refer to Section 3.6
Work variations
t refer to Section 3.5Quality checks
t refer to Section 3.3
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Section 3.2 Progress Monitoring
(Analysis講解部分 : 25’30” – 28’34”)
• In general, the duration of a building maintenance project may vary from a
few months to more than a year to complete, depending on their scale and
complexity. As project delays would cause inconvenience to the property
owners/occupants and might incur additional costs or result in failure to meet the
requirements of statutory orders, it is necessary for property owners/OCs, with
the assistance of their consultants, to closely monitor the progress of the building
maintenance works.
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Lax supervision of the work progress and connivance at the contractor’s work
delays
M Total reliance on the consultant in monitoring work progress
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70
Scenario in perspective
• Supervision of works by the project consultant’s site supervisory
team for a building maintenance project was lax (e.g. infrequent
site visits by professional staff). The contractor therefore gave
priority to some other projects, and the consultant took no action
on the delay.
• The MC solely relied on the progress reports submitted by the
consultant, and accepted the latter’s various excuses for the
delay. Moreover, property owners were not provided with a work
programme or any progress information throughout the project.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To ensure effective supervision and satisfactory progress of the building
maintenance works, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– with the assistance of the consultant, require the contractor to submit a
master work programme upon the commencement of the contract, showing
the stages and deliverables of the maintenance works required, with timely
updates thereafter should there be any changes (e.g. weekly or biweekly
rolling programmes);
– post the master work programme/weekly or biweekly rolling programmes in
a prominent place of the building for information and monitoring by property
owners/occupants;
– require the consultant to closely monitor the progress of work against the
work programme, and report any deviations and follow-up actions taken/to
be taken;
– conduct regular meetings and joint inspections of work progress with the
consultant and contractor to closely monitor work progress.
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Section 3.3 Quality Checks
(Analysis講解部分 : 25’30” – 28’34”)
• Among other duties, the consultant is responsible for monitoring the quality of
the maintenance works on site, including conducting inspections/tests to ensure
the contractors carry out the works in accordance with the contract specification
and, where applicable, the relevant requirements under statutory orders/notices.
To minimize the risk of any lax supervision or any substandard works, property
owners/MC members should closely monitor the performance of their consultant
in supervising the works.
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Lax supervision, and acceptance of or connivance at substandard/incomplete
works, poor workmanship and/or substandard materials
M No supervision or quality check on hidden works, which cannot be seen/checked
after the works are completed
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Scenario in perspective
• Supervision of works by the project consultant’s site supervisory
team for a building maintenance project was lax – the consultant
only deployed inexperienced site staff to conduct infrequent site
visits, and the site staff, who was sweetened by the contractor
with frequent entertainment, turned a blind eye to the contractor’s
substandard works and use of inferior repair materials.
• The MC relied entirely on the consultant’s flimsy reports with no
details or proof/assurance of works done. Moreover, property
owners were not provided with adequate information about the
project, such as the works to be done and materials to be used.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To ensure the quality of the building repair works, OCs/MCs are advised to:
– require the consultant to submit a site supervision plan , providing detailed
arrangement on supervision of the repair works, upon commencement of the
project for the OC/MC’s approval;
– where practicable, conduct random checks on the consultant’s compliance
with the approved site supervision plan, and require immediate rectification if
any deviation is noted;
– require the consultant to report on a regular basis (say, biweekly) on the
progress and quality of the repair carried out;
– require the contractor to submit measurement records and site photos (before
and after work completion) certified by the consultant for hidden works which
cannot be seen/checked after the works are completed;
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– require the contractor to provide samples of construction /repair materials
approved by the consultant for reference, and displace the samples at an
appropriate location for the information of and reference by property owners
to enhance transparency;
– where practicable and under safe conditions, conduct joint inspections or site
observations on the works, materials and work progress with the consultant;
– inform the consultant of any irregularities observed on the work of the
contractor (e.g. the materials used are different from those approved) for
follow-up action, and request the project consultant to report back on the
corrective actions taken.
Checklist of essential items in site supervision plan
List of major works items/activities that require inspections, such as:
Scaffolding
Repair of reinforced concrete structures, including identification of the extent
of repair required and all hidden works (e.g. sawing off loose concrete to
expose reinforcement bars, removing rust on the bars, applying approved
primer and bonding agent on the bars, and carrying out patch repairs with
suitable mortar, etc.)
Refurbishment of external walls, rendering/tiles, including identification of
the extent of repair required and all hidden works (e.g. removal of loose
rendering/tiles, preparation of exposed surfaces of the existing walls for a
proper physical “key” between the existing walls and the newly finished layers
of mortar, applying of internal layers of approved bonding agent/adhesive for
the mortar, etc.)
Repair or replacement of windows
Repair or replacement of sanitary services, including all hidden works (e.g.
repair or replacement of drainage pipes embedded into the concrete structures
or concealed in the false ceiling, etc.)
Repair or enhancement of fire safety construction and fire service installations
and equipment
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Frequency of inspection for individual major works items/activities, including the
hidden works involved
Qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the key project/site staff for
carrying out the inspections, such as:
Authorized person/architect for the project
Project manager
Inspectors of works
Records to be made, in particular for hidden works, and to be submitted to
OC after conducting the inspections/tests, such as inspection reports/checklist,
site photos (before, during and after completion for hidden works) and test
certificates, etc.
Template for Site Supervision Plan
Post NameFrequency of inspection
Works items/activities to be inspected
Inspection records
Authorized Person
Project Manager
Inspector of Works
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Section 3.4 Contract Payments
(Analysis講解部分 : 30’25” – 32’15”)
• When the maintenance works are in progress, the contractor regularly (e.g.
monthly or bimonthly) submits payment applications for the work done to the
consultant for assessment and certification. The OC should then make payment
to the contractor as certified by the consultant in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the contract.
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Exaggerating work progress to expedite contract payment; release payment
before work/stage completion
M Certifying defective works to facilitate payment before the defective works are
rectified
M Lack of segregation of duties in payment process, e.g. same person certifies work
completion and signs cheques
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Scenario in perspective
• An MC member released final payment to the contractor before
some final rectification works were completed, convinced by the
latter that he needed the payment in advance to solve a cash flow
problem before he could resume the works.
• To thank the MC member, the contractor inflated the invoice a little
and “refunded” the inflated amount to the MC member.
• After obtaining the final payment, the contractor did not come back
to finish the final rectification works.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To prevent corruption and malpractices in processing contract payments, OCs/
MCs are advised to:
– require the contractor to submit invoices with details on the actual quantities
of work done, against the estimated quantities and prices for individual
major works items in tender submission/contract, with reasons for significant
variations, and evidence such as photos where applicable, in its payment
claims;
Section 2.6 Inviting tenders for works contract
– require the consultant to assess the cost of the works completed, excluding
those that are defective, when certifying contractors’ payment claims;
– where practicable and under safe conditions, conduct joint inspections with
the consultant to check the works claimed to have been completed before
making payment;
– require the consultant to submit reports on work progress and financial
statements of the project account to the MCs/OCs regularly for monitoring;
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– display the reports on work progress and financial statements in a prominent
place of the buildings for property owners/occupants’ monitoring and
information;
– make payment to the contractor in accordance with the contract terms,
including the time limit for processing and effecting payments;
– where practicable, appoint the treasurer and at least two MC members to sign
the cheques for payments;
Section 4.5.3 Building Management Toolkit & Building Financial Management Toolkit
– require the contractor to provide certificates, test reports and any other
relevant documents before releasing the final payment;
– for a high value, complicated project, consider engaging an independent
consultant, e.g. a quantity surveyor, to provide independent1 assessment of
contract payment claims and assist the OC in cost control.
Section 3.5 Work Variations
(Analysis講解部分 : 28’34” – 30’25”)
• Work variations refer to changes to the specified works after the award of
contract. For example, in carrying out a project originally intended for repair
and maintenance of water supply pipes and drains, it may be discovered that
the water tank and pump sets also need to be repaired. Such additional works
required are work variations if carried out as part of the original contract. Work
variations are not uncommon, and are sometimes needed for satisfactory repair
and maintenance of the building. However, if not properly controlled, variations
could be abused to substantially raise the project cost.
1 An independent quantity surveyor who is not responsible for issuing works orders to and monitoring the contractor’s works provides strong independence in assessing payment claims and exercising cost control. This provides an extra safeguard for the OC from possible exploitation and cost inflation, and the project cost savings that could be achieved could well exceed the independent surveyor’s professional fee.
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Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Omitting certain repair works from the tender invitation and subsequently causing
variation orders to be issued for such works to the contractor at inflated prices
after the award of contract
M Causing the issue of orders for unnecessary works during project implementation
M Unnecessary switching to higher-priced materials during project implementation
to increase the contractor’s profit
Scenario in perspective
• A project manager included only items specified in a repair order
in the tender invitation for a building maintenance project. A
contractor won the contract with a below-market price.
• The project manager had in fact colluded with the contractor,
and subsequently identified other repair/maintenance items and
recommended the OC to carry out these items using variation
orders at inflated prices.
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Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To minimise the risk of malpractice or abuse in work variations, OCs/MCs are
advised to:
– when engaging a consultant to carry out a building maintenance project in
response to a repair order/ notification, require the consultant to assess the
need of and advise on all necessary maintenance works, and include, as far as
practicable, all necessary works items in the tender specification and the works
contract to minimise the need for using variation orders after commencement
of the contract;
Section 2.3 Drawing up scope of maintenance works
– require the consultant to justify the needs and seek approval of the MC/OC
before ordering/endorsing any work variations;
– lay down clear financial limits on the maximum amount of variations that the
MC is authorised to approve, above which approval from OC meeting should
be sought;
– require the consultant to provide cost estimate for any variations requested;
– assess the reasonableness of the costs of the work variations required,
making reference to the tender prices of similar works items in the contract, if
available;
– for major/costly work variations, where practicable, consider engaging an
independent consultant (e.g. a quantity surveyor) to provide independent cost
advice;
– properly document any work variations and the costs involved, and disclose
them to all property owners /occupants through notices posted in a prominent
place of the buildings.
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Section 3.6 Work Completion
• When all the works have been carried out in accordance with the specifications
and schedule of works, the consultant will issue a certificate of practical
completion to the contractor, upon which the defects liability period (保固期 )
commences. For repair works required by statutory orders/notices, the consultant
is also responsible for preparing and submitting report/certificate of completion to
the relevant government departments.
Section 1.4 Legal requirements relating to building maintenance
• During the defects liability period, which may last for a few weeks to a few
months as specified in the contract, the contractor is responsible for making good
any defects found to the satisfaction of the consultant and property owners/
OC. At the end of the defects liability period, the consultant will also issue a final
certificate for effecting the remaining payments and releasing retention money (保
證金 ) 2 to the contractor.
Risks of corruption and malpractices
M Acceptance of substandard/incomplete works, lax supervision on defects
rectification, etc.
M Certifying final completion, or releasing final payment or retention money, before
completion of all works or defects rectification
2 Retention money refers to the amount of money, which normally ranges from 5% to 10% of the contract sum, held by the OC as a safeguard against defects which may subsequently develop and which the contractor may fail to rectify.
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Scenario in perspective
• A works supervisor of the consultant received frequent
entertainment from the contractor and exercised lax site supervision,
and certified completion for works that were not yet finished or had
significant defects.
• The MC Chairman was also compromised (he received gifts from
the contractor), and he authorized the release of retention money
before the defects were rectified satisfactorily.
Tips for preventing corruption and malpractices
• To prevent corruption and malpractice in certifying work completion, OCs/MCs
are advised to:
– require the consultant to prepare and submit a defects list for agreement by
the MC/OC before certifying practical completion of the works;
– invite all property owners/occupants to report on any defects or outstanding
works to the MC/OC, consultant and/or contractor for follow-up actions
during defects liability period;
– where practicable and under safe conditions, conduct joint inspections with
the consultant to check the satisfactory completion of the defect rectification
works before expiry of the defects liability period and issue of final certificate
of completion to the contractor.
Chapter 4Knocking on the Right Door
Chapter Objectives
• Know where and how to seek advice and
assistance regarding building maintenance
4 Chapter 4 Knocking on the Right Door
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Section 4.1 Overview
• Property owners/OCs who receive prompt advice or assistance for their building
maintenance projects from independent professionals or relevant government
departments or public organisations can better manage their projects and defend
themselves against corrupt practices and exploitation. Therefore, it is important
that property owners/OCs knock on the right door for assistance and advice.
Below is a quick guide on the relevant government departments and public
organisations from which property owners/OCs may seek advice/assistance in
managing their building maintenance projects, and their respective scopes of
service/assistance.
Department/ Organisation
Scopes of Services/Assistance Reference
Home Affairs Department (HAD)
• Advisory services for OC formation and operation, such as
appo intment , compos i t i on and procedures of MC
procurement of supplies, goods and services
convening of OC / MC meet ings , including use of proxy, etc.
management of building funds
• All other matters in relation to compliance with BMO
• Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme (BMPASS)
Section 4.2
Urban Renewal Authority (URA)
• Operation of the Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme (IBMAS)
• Operation of the Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme (MBISS)
• Operation of Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0) and Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme (FSWS)
• Operation of "Smart Tender" Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services
Section 4.3
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Department/ Organisation
Scopes of Services/Assistance Reference
Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS)
• Operation of IBMAS
• Operation of Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners (BMGS)
• Operation of Voluntary Building Assessment Scheme (VBAS)
Section 4.4
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
• Corruption prevention advisory and education services
• Reporting corruption Section 4.5
Hong Kong Police Force
• Crime prevention advisory services
• Reporting non-corruption related crimes, e.g. assault, theft
Section 4.6
Note: The above is a quick reference to the services/support provided by the relevant government departments or organisations in respect of building management at the time of the publication of this Toolkit. As the services/schemes may be subject to review or changes over time, readers should consult the departments/organisations concerned regarding the latest information on their full range of services provided.
4 Chapter 4 Knocking on the Right Door
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Section 4.2 Home Affairs Department
4.2.1 Advice and Support• The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has set up a Building Management Division
to coordinate building management matters. At the district level, District Building
Management Liaison Teams (DBMLTs), comprising properly trained Liaison
Officers, have been set up in the 18 District Offices to provide outreach support
service to owners and OCs, assist owners to form OCs, attend OCs’ meetings and
give advice to owners on building management problems. DBMLTs will also assist
law enforcement departments in enforcing building maintenance and fire safety
improvement works, help resolve disputes between owners or between owners
and OCs, and arrange the provision of voluntary professional mediation service.
Do you know?
• A large number of the corruption complaints concerning building
maintenance received by the ICAC were based on ungrounded
suspicion arising from misunderstandings, communication problems
among MC members and property owners, or mis-management,
without criminal misconduct. The report of such cases to the ICAC
does not help to solve the management problem at all but may lead
to unnecessary delay of their building maintenance projects, and
even disputes and mistrust among property owners.
• To minimize such misunderstanding and communication problems,
it is advisable for property owners/OCs to implement good
governance practices and procedures in building management and
maintenance, such as adopting proper and transparent processes,
and enhancing communication and participation of property
owners in building management matters.
• Property owners/OCs may seek advice and support from HAD for
the proper management of their buildings, when necessary.
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4.2.2 Educational and Publicity Activities• HAD and its 18 District Offices organize various educational activities, such
as seminars, training courses, talks and workshops on building management
to provide training for members of MCs, and produce a series of publications
and videos etc., for owners and OCs in order to help them in discharging their
responsibility for managing and maintaining their properties.
4.2.3 Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme (BMPASS) • To enhance the support to owners of old buildings with low rateable value, HAD
has launched a Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme
(BMPASS) since April 2011. Under BMPASS, property management companies
(PMCs) have been engaged to provide tailor-made professional advisory service
on building management to property owners of selected buildings in 18 districts
throughout Hong Kong.
• The service scope of BMPASS includes:
conducting home visits to contact owners direct, and assist them in forming
OCs or other forms of owners/residents organizations;
preparing management audit reports for the common areas of the buildings;
attending OC meetings to provide professional advice and secretarial service;
assisting OCs/owners in applying for various loan schemes, as well as following
up the repair works and tender procedures;
assisting OCs in procuring third party risks insurance; and
providing building management training to MC members and owners.
Get more details from:http://www.buildingmgt.gov.hk
Annex 8 Useful contacts
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Section 4.3 Urban Renewal Authority
4.3.1 Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme (IBMAS)• Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme (IBMAS), consists of 5
schemes from the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), the Buildings Department
(BD) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), co-ordinated by URA, providing
financial assistance and technical support to property owners.
• Under IBMAS, eligible owners can simply complete one set of application forms
for making multiple applications for:
Common Area Repair Works Subsidy (公用地方維修津貼 )
Home Renovation Interest-free Loan (家居維修免息貸款 )
Owners’ Corporation Formation Subsidy (籌組業主立案法團資助 )
Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners (長者維修自住物業津
貼計劃 ) (administered by HKHS)
Building Safety Loan Scheme (樓宇安全貸款計劃 ) (administered by the
Buildings Department)
4.3.2 Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme (MBISS)• To assist owners in complying with the statutory requirements of the Mandatory
Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS), URA and HKHS have launched the Mandatory
Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme (MBISS) to provide financial assistance to
eligible owners.
• Under the MBISS, each eligible building may receive a subsidy of up to $100,000,
depending on the number of units of the building covered by each statutory
notice, for employment of Registered Inspector to carry out the first Prescribed
Inspection for common parts of the building and, if any subsidy remained, for
inspection of windows in common parts.
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4.3.3 Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0) and Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme (FSWS)
• To assist building owners to conduct prescribed inspection and repair works under
MBIS and undertake fire safety enhancement measures as required by the Fire
Safety Building (Buildings) Ordinance, URA implements Operation Building Bright
2.0 and Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme.
• Based on a risk-based approach, OBB 2.0 focuses on residential and composite
buildings aged 50 years or above with relatively low average rateable values,
having regard to the relatively higher building safety risks of these buildings. For
inspection and repair works specified for the common parts of a building, all
eligible applications (except elderly applicants) will be subsidised 80 per cent of the
cost subject to a cap of $40,000 per unit. Elderly eligible applicants aged 60 or
above will be subsidised 100 per cent of the cost subject to a cap of $50,000 per
unit. In addition, for private projecting structures under MBIS, all eligible property
owners will be subsidised 50 per cent of the cost subject to a cap of $6,000 per
unit. It is estimated that OBB 2.0 would be able to support the commissioning of
the inspection and repair works of 2,500 buildings.
• To further assist owners of old buildings in carrying out improvement works
to enhance the fire safety standards, FSWS aims at subsidising owners of old
composite buildings in complying with requirements of the Fire Safety Building
(Buildings) Ordinance. It is estimated that around 2 000 target buildings will
benefit from FSWS. The amount of subsidy for eligible building owners, which
will be higher than that of existing financial assistance schemes, can be up to
a maximum of 60 per cent of the costs of the fire safety improvement works
and consultancy fees, or the subsidy ceiling for the corresponding category of
buildings, whichever is the less.
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4.3.4 "Smart Tender" Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services• "Smart Tender" Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services is a fee-charging
service provided by URA, aiming to provide technical assistance and professional
advice to the eligible OCs. OCs can procure consultants and contractors by using
the electronic tendering platform for the building maintenance works of common
areas.
Enquiry: 3188 1188Get more details from:
http://www.buildingrehab.org.hk
Annex 8 Useful contacts
Section 4.4 Hong Kong Housing Society
4.4.1 Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme (IBMAS)
Refer to Section 4.3.1
4.4.2 Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners (BMGS)• Administered by HKHS, BMGS provides financial assistance to elderly owner-
occupiers to repair and maintain their buildings as well as to improve building
safety. A maximum grant of HK$40,000 is available for each eligible elderly
owner-occupier. The grant can also be used to repay the outstanding loan(s) with
the Buildings Department, HKHS or URA in relation to building maintenance.
Enquiry: 3188 1188Get more details from:
http://www.hkhs.com/en/our-business/building-rehabilitation
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4.4.3 Voluntary Building Assessment Scheme (VBAS) • To support the MBIS and the "Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme", HKHS
develops and operates VBAS with the objective to encourage buildings on their
own initiatives. Buildings certified by VBAS are recognized for the fulfillment of
requirements under the MBIS and Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (in
respect of windows of common parts only).
Enquiry: 8108 0108Get more details from:
http://vbas.hkhs.com/en/
Annex 8 Useful contacts
Section 4.5 Independent Commission Against Corruption
4.5.1 Advisory Services• To help OCs and other building management bodies prevent corruption and adopt
ethical practices in building management, the Corruption Prevention Advisory
Service of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) provides the
following free services:
confidential advisory service on corruption prevention measures for
OCs, PMCs, suppliers and service providers, e.g. application of measures
recommended in this Toolkit;
advising OCs, PMCs, suppliers and service providers in estate management
in drawing up probity guidelines and code of conduct for their members and
staff; and
organising seminars/briefings jointly with HAD, URA or HKHS on corruption
prevention measures in building maintenance for MC members and building
management personnel.
Annex 7 Corruption Prevention Advisory Service – Consultancy services to private sector
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4.5.2 Education Services• The Community Relations Department of the ICAC offers the following free
education services to building management personnel:
arranging visits to OCs and PMCs and training activities to enhance their
understanding of the anti-corruption law and corruption-prone areas, as well
as encouraging them to adopt preventive measures;
offering OCs publicity materials including posters, pamphlets, exhibition
panels, stall games etc., to promote clean building management messages;
and
handling related enquiries and requests for ICAC services.
Annex 6 Contacts of ICAC – Enquiries/services
4.5.3 Building Management Toolkit & Building Financial Management Toolkit• In addition to this Building Maintenance Toolkit, the ICAC has also compiled a
Building Management Toolkit and a Building Financial Management Toolkit which
respectively provide OCs and property owners with practical and user-friendly
guide on general building management and building financial management.
Get more details from:Integrity Building Management Enquiry Hotline: 2929 4555
or
http://www.bm.icac.hk
4.5.4 Reporting Corruption • Any party may lodge a corruption report with the ICAC and the information
provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366
Annex 6 Contacts of ICAC – Reporting corruption
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Section 4.6 Hong Kong Police Force
4.6.1 Crime Prevention Work of the Police Force• The Crime Prevention Bureau and Regional Crime Prevention Offices are
responsible for the crime prevention work of the Police. They offer, among others,
the following types of advice/services: -
conducting security surveys for individual premises to identify any security
loopholes and give advice to property owners to reduce risks; and
organising security seminars for companies, organisations and various groups,
and offering assistance and advice whenever possible.
Police Hotline: 2527 7177
4.6.2 Reporting Non-corruption Related Crimes• Any party may report non-corruption related crimes to the Police Force.
Emergency: 999
Organised Crime and Triad Hotline: 2527 7887
Annex 8 Useful contacts
Sample Documents/FormsThe suggested terms and formats of letters, forms and documents for
the implementation of building maintenance works in this Toolkit are
for reference only. Advice should be sought from Project Consultants,
if employed by the building owners for the proposed works, on
whether such terms and formats should be modified to suit the special
circumstances in each maintenance project. If no Project Consultant
has been employed, the building owners should at least consult an
experienced member from the OC or appropriate person with experience
in contract administration. Users of this Toolkit should seek legal advice
as and when necessary. The ICAC and its partners in the production
of this Toolkit will not accept any liability, legal or otherwise, for loss
occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of
any material in this publication.
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Form 1Sample Code of Conduct for Owners’ Corporations
Introduction The Management Committee (MC), as appointed by the Owners' Corporation (OC),
is committed to managing the building with integrity, honesty and fairness. The OC has thus
passed a resolution that all its agents including members of the MC and the sub-committees,
employees and contractors should observe this Code when conducting business for the OC.
Prevention of Bribery Ordinance2. Any agent of the OC soliciting or accepting an advantage in connection with his work
for the OC without the permission of the OC will commit an offence under Section 9(1) and the
offeror of the advantage will commit an offence under Section 9(2) of the Prevention of Bribery
Ordinance (Cap 201). The term "advantage", as defined in the Ordinance includes money, gift,
loan, fee, reward, employment, contract, service and favour but does not include entertainment
which is the provision of food or drink for consumption on the occasion.
3. Any agent of the OC using any false documents, records, accounts or receipts with the
intent to deceive the OC will commit an offence under Section 9(3) of the Ordinance.
Acceptance of Advantage4. The OC has passed a resolution that agents of the OC are not allowed to solicit or
accept any advantage when conducting business for the OC, unless with the prior permission
of the OC in writing. Examples include MC members not to accept gifts from contractors and
caretakers not to solicit tips from owners and tenants.
Entertainment5. Although entertainment is not an advantage and is an acceptable form of social
and business activity, agents of the OC (e.g. MC members, works consultants) should avoid
accepting lavish or frequent entertainment from business associates of the OC (e.g. contractors
or sub-contractors) so as not to put themselves in a position of obligation or affect their
judgement. Excessive gambling with and loans from business associates of the OC should also
be avoided.
97
Conflict of Interest6. A conflict of interest arises when the private interest of an agent of the OC competes
or conflicts with the interest of the OC. Private interest includes both the financial and personal
interest of the agent and those of his connections. Connections include his family members,
relatives and close personal friends.
7. Agents of the OC should avoid any situation which may lead to an actual or perceived
conflict of interest and make a declaration to the MC or the OC when such a situation arises.
Examples include an MC member holding the shares of a contractor bidding for the OC's
contract, and a caretaker being a relative of his supervisor. Failing to declare or avoid conflict
of interest may give rise to criticism of favouritism, abuse of authority or even allegation of
corruption.
Handling Confidential Information and Accounts8. Agents of the OC should not disclose any confidential information (e.g. tender price,
personal data etc.) of the OC without authorization and should take the necessary measures to
protect such information from being abused or misused. Agents should ensure the documents,
accounts and receipts submitted to the OC are true and accurate.
Compliance with Code of Conduct9. It is the responsibility of the agents of the OC to understand and comply with this Code.
The OC will ensure agents fully understand and observe the requirements and standards laid
down in the Code.
10. Agents of the OC who is in breach of the code of conduct may be dismissed or
removed from office by resolution of the OC. In case of suspected corruption or other criminal
offences, a report will be made to the ICAC or the appropriate authorities.
11. Any enquiries or complaints on possible breaches of this Code should be directed to the
chairman or the MC of the OC.
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Form 2(a)Sample Probity and Anti-collusion Clauses in Tender Documents
Offering Gratuities(1) The tenderer shall not, and shall procure that his [employees and agents/employees, agents
and sub-contractors]1 shall not, offer, solicit or accept an advantage as defined in the
Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) in connection with the tendering and execution
of this [Consultancy Agreement/Contract]1.
(2) Failure to so procure or any act of offering, soliciting or accepting advantage referred to
in (1) above committed by the tenderer or by an employee, agent or [sub-consultant/sub-
contractor]1 of the tenderer shall, without affecting the tenderer's liability for such failure
and act, result in his tender being invalidated.
Anti-collusion(1) (a) Subject to sub-clause (2) of this Clause, the tenderer shall not communicate to any
person other than the [name of the Owners’ Corporation] (hereafter referred to as
the Employer) the amount of the tender price or any part thereof until the tenderer is
notified by the Employer of the outcome of the tender exercise.
(b) Further to paragraph (a) of this sub-clause, the tenderer shall not fix the amount of
the tender price or any part thereof by arrangement with any other person, make any
arrangement with any person about whether or not he or that other person will or will
not submit a tender or otherwise collude with any person in any manner whatsoever
in the tendering process.
(c) Any breach of or non-compliance with this sub-clause by the tenderer shall, without
affecting the tenderer’s liability for such breach or non-compliance, invalidate his
tender.
(2) Sub-clause (1)(a) of this Clause shall have no application to the tenderer’s communications
in strict confidence with:
(a) his own insurers or brokers to obtain an insurance quotation for computation of
tender price;
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(b) his [sub-consultants/consultants or sub-contractors]1 to solicit their assistance in
preparation of tender submission; and
(c) his bankers in relation to financial resources for the [Consultancy Agreement/
Contract]1.
(3) The tenderer shall submit with his tender a duly signed and witnessed letter in the form
set out in the Appendix [see Annex 2(a) – Appendix]. The signatory to the letter shall be a
person authorized to sign the [Consultancy Agreement/Contract]1 on the tenderer’s behalf.
(4) The tenderer shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Employer against all losses,
damages, costs or expenses arising out of or in relation to any breach of or non-
compliance with sub-clause (1) of this Clause by the tenderer, including but not limited to
additional costs due to price escalation, costs and expenses of re-tendering and other costs
incurred.
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Annex 2(a) - Appendix – Confirmation Letter
To: [Name of the Owners’ Corporation]
Dear Sir/Madam,
Confirmation Letter for [Consultancy Agreement/Contract]1 No. [ ]
[I/We]1, [(Name of the tenderer) of (Address of the tenderer)]2 refer to [my/our]1 tender for
the above [Consultancy Agreement/Contract]1.
[I/We]1 confirm that, before [I/we]1 sign this letter, [I/we]1 have read and fully understand this
letter and the anti-collusion clause.
[I/We]1, represent and warrant that in relation to the tender for the above [Consultancy
Agreement/Contract]1:
(i) [I/We]1, other than the Excepted Communications referred to in the last paragraph of
this letter, have not communicated and will not communicate to any person other than
the Employer the amount of the tender price or any part thereof until [I/we]1 have been
notified by the Employer of the outcome of the tender exercise;
(ii) [I/We]1 have not fixed and will not fix the amount of the tender price or any part thereof
by arrangement with any person;
(iii) [I/We]1 have not made and will not make any arrangement with any person as to whether [I/
we]1 or that other person will or will not submit a tender; and
(iv) [I/We]1 have not otherwise colluded and will not otherwise collude with any person in any
manner whatsoever in the tendering process.
[I/We]1 shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Employer against all losses, damages, costs
or expenses arising out of or in relation to any breach of any of the representations and/or
warranties above, including but not limited to damages for delay, costs and expenses of re-
tendering and other costs incurred.
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In this letter, the expression “Excepted Communications” means [my/our]1 communications in
strict confidence with:
(i) [my/our]1 own insurers or brokers to obtain an insurance quotation for computation of
tender price;
(ii) [my/our]1 [sub-consultants/consultants or sub-contractors]2 to solicit their assistance in
preparation of tender submission; and
(iii) [my/our]1 bankers in relation to financial resources for the [Consultancy Agreement/
Contract]1.
Signed for and on behalf of [name of the tenderer] by [name and position of the signatory]3:
Name of Witness:
Signature of Witness:
Occupation:
1. Delete as appropriate
2. Where the tenderer comprises two or more persons or companies acting in partnership, joint venture or otherwise, this part in square brackets should be expanded to include the respective names and addresses of such persons or as the case may be companies.
3. Where the tenderer comprises two or more persons or companies acting in partnership, joint venture or otherwise, all such persons or as the case may be companies must sign. The signatory for each of such persons or companies shall be a person authorized to sign the Consultancy Agreement/Contract on behalf of that person or as the case may be company.
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Form 2(b)Sample Ethical Commitment Clauses in Consultancy Agreement
Confidentiality(A) Except as necessary for the performance of the Services the Consultant shall not (except
with the prior written consent or as instructed by the Employer) disclose the terms and
conditions of this Agreement or any report, document, specification, drawing, plan,
software, data or other particulars furnished by or on behalf of the Employer in connection
therewith, or any such or similar information generated or produced by the Consultant
pursuant to this Agreement, to any person other than a person employed or engaged by
the Consultant in carrying out this Assignment, an agent of the Consultant, any approved
sub-consultant or the Consultant' accountants, insurers and legal advisers.
(B) Any disclosure to any person, agent, sub-consultant, accountant, insurer, legal adviser
permitted under sub-clause (A) of this clause shall be in strict confidence and shall be on a
"need to know" basis and extend only so far as may be necessary for the purposes of this
Agreement.
(C) The Consultant shall take all necessary measures (including by way of a code of conduct or
contractual provisions where appropriate) to ensure that their directors, employees, agents,
sub-consultants, accountants, insurers and legal advisers as mentioned in sub-clause (A) are
aware of and shall comply with the confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions contained
in this Agreement. If required by the Employer, the Consultant undertake to procure for
and on behalf of the Employer a confidentiality agreement in a form to be prescribed by
the Employer from any director, employee, agent, sub-consultant, accountant, insurer and
legal adviser to whom any confidential information is to be disclosed.
(D) The Consultant shall not without the prior written consent of the Employer publish, either
alone or in conjunction with any other person, in any newspaper, magazine, periodical
or through any electronic medium, any article, photograph or illustration relating to this
Agreement.
(E) The Consultant shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Employer against all loss,
liabilities, damages, costs, legal costs, professional and other expenses of any nature
whatsoever the Employer may suffer, sustain or incur, whether direct or consequential
arising out of or in connection with any breach by the Consultant or their directors,
employees, agents, sub-consultants, accountants, insurers or legal advisers of this clause.
103
(F) The provision of this clause shall survive the termination of this Agreement (however
occasioned) and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
Prevention of Bribery(G) The Consultant shall prohibit their directors, employees, agents and sub-consultants who
are involved in this Agreement from offering, soliciting or accepting any advantage as
defined in the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201). The Consultant shall also caution
their directors, employees, agents and sub-consultants against soliciting or accepting any
hospitality, entertainment or inducements which would impair their impartiality in relation
to the Assignment. The Consultant shall take all necessary measures (including by way of a
code of conduct or contractual provisions where appropriate) to ensure that their directors,
employees, agents and sub-consultants are aware of the aforesaid prohibition and will
not solicit or accept any advantages, hospitality which would impair their impartiality, etc.
when conducting business in connection with this Agreement.
Declaration of Conflict of Interest(H) The Consultant shall require their employees, agents and sub-consultants who are
involved in this Agreement to declare in writing to the Consultant any conflict or potential
conflict between their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this
Agreement. In the event that such conflict or potential conflict is disclosed in a declaration,
the Consultant shall forthwith take such reasonable measures as are necessary to mitigate
as far as possible or remove the conflict or potential conflict so disclosed.
(I) The Consultant shall prohibit their employees who are involved in this Agreement from
engaging in any work or employment other than in the performance of this Agreement,
with or without remuneration, which could create or potentially give rise to a conflict
between their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this
Agreement. The Consultant shall require their agents and sub-consultants to impose similar
restriction on their employees by way of a contractual provision.
(J) The Consultant shall take all necessary measures (including by way of a code of conduct
or contractual provisions where appropriate) to ensure that their employees, agents and
sub-consultants who are involved in this Agreement are aware of the provisions under the
aforesaid sub-clauses (H) and (I).
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Declaration of Ethical Commitment(K) The Consultant shall submit a signed declaration in a form (see Annex 2(b) - Appendix)
prescribed or approved by the Employer to confirm compliance with the provisions
in aforesaid sub-clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I) and (J) on confidentiality,
prevention of bribery and declaration of conflict of interest. If the Consultant fail to submit
the declaration as required, the Employer shall be entitled to withhold payment until such
declaration is submitted and the Consultant shall not be entitled to interest in that period.
To demonstrate compliance with the aforesaid sub-clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H),
(I) and (J) on confidentiality, prevention of bribery and declaration of conflict of interest, the
consultant and their sub-consultants employed for the performance of duties under this
Agreement are required to deposit with the Employer a code of conduct issued to their
staff.
105
Annex 2(b) - Appendix – Declaration Form
To: [Name of the Owners’ Corporation]
Agreement Title:
In accordance with the Ethical Commitment clauses in the Consultancy Agreement:
(1) We confirm that we have complied with the following provisions and have ensured that our directors, employees, agents and sub-consultants are aware of the following provisions:
(a) Prohibiting our directors, employees, agents and sub-consultants who are involved in this Agreement from offering, soliciting or accepting any advantage as defined in section 2 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) when conducting business in connection with this Agreement;
(b) Requiring our employees, agents and sub-consultants who are involved in this Agreement to declare in writing to us any conflict or potential conflict between their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Agreement. In the event that a conflict or potential conflict is disclosed, we will take such reasonable measures as are necessary to mitigate as far as possible or remove the conflict or potential conflict so disclosed;
(c) Prohibiting our employees who are involved in this Agreement from engaging in any work or employment other than in the performance of this Agreement, with or without remuneration, which could create or potentially give rise to a conflict between their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Agreement and requiring our sub-consultants to do the same;
(d) Taking all measures as necessary to protect any confidential/privileged information or data entrusted to us by or on behalf of the Employer from being divulged to a third party other than those allowed in this Agreement.
(2) We further confirm that we have ensured that our accountants, insurers and legal advisers are aware of the provisions requiring us taking all measures as necessary to protect any confidential/privileged information or data entrusted to us by or on behalf of the Employer from being divulged to a third party other than those allowed in this Agreement.
(Name of the Consultant)
(Name of the Signatory)
(Position of the Signatory)
(Date)
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Form 2(c)Sample Ethical Commitment Clauses in Works Contract
Information not to be Divulged(A) The Contractor shall not use or divulge, except for the purpose of the Contract, any
information provided by [name of the Owners' Corporation] (hereafter referred to as
the Employer) in the Contract or in any subsequent correspondence or documentation.
Any disclosure to any person or agent or sub-contractor for the purpose of the Contract
shall be in strict confidence and shall be on a “need to know” basis and extend only so
far as may be necessary for the purpose of this Contract. The Contractor shall take all
necessary measures (including by way of a code of conduct or contractual provisions
where appropriate) to ensure that information is not divulged for purposes other than that
of this Contract by such person, agent or sub-contractor. The Contractor shall indemnify
and keep indemnified the Employer against all loss, liabilities, damages, costs, legal costs,
professional and other expenses of any nature whatsoever the Employer may suffer, sustain
or incur, whether direct or consequential, arising out of or in connection with any breach
of the aforesaid non-disclosure provision by the Contractor or his employees, agents or
sub-contractors.
Prevention of Bribery(B) The Contractor shall prohibit his employees, agents, and sub-contractors who are involved
in this Contract from offering, soliciting or accepting any advantage as defined in the
Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) when conducting business in connection with
this Contract.
Declaration of Conflict of Interest(C) The Contractor shall require his employees, agents and sub-contractors who are involved
in this Contract to declare in writing to the Contractor any conflict or potential conflict
between their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Contract.
In the event that such conflict or potential conflict is disclosed in a declaration, the
Contractor shall forthwith take such reasonable measures as are necessary to mitigate as
far as possible or remove the conflict or potential conflict so disclosed.
107
(D) The Contractor shall prohibit his employees who are involved in this Contract from
engaging in any work or employment other than in the performance of this Contract, with
or without remuneration, which could create or potentially give rise to a conflict between
their personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Contract. The
Contractor shall also require their subcontractors and agents to impose similar restriction
on their employees by way of a contractual provision.
(E) The Contractor shall take all necessary measures (including by way of a code of conduct
or contractual provisions where appropriate) to ensure that his employees, agents and
subcontractors are aware of the prohibitions in this clause.
Contractor's Declaration(F) The Contractor shall also submit a signed declaration in a form (see Annex 2(c) - Appendix)
prescribed or approved by the Employer to confirm compliance with the provisions on
ethical commitment as stated in the aforesaid sub-clauses (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). If the
Contractor fails to submit the declaration as required, the Employer shall be entitled to
withhold payment until such declaration is submitted and the Contractor shall not be
entitled to interest. To demonstrate compliance with the aforesaid sub-clauses (A), (B), (C),
(D) and (E) on confidentiality, prevention of bribery, and declaration of conflict of interest,
the contractor and their sub-contractors employed for the performance of duties under
this Contract are required to deposit with the Employer a code of conduct issued to their
staff.
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Annex 2(c) - Appendix – Declaration Form
To: [Name of the Owners’ Corporation]
Contract Title:
In accordance with the Ethical Commitment clauses of the Contract, we confirm that we have
complied with the following provisions and have ensured that our directors, employees,
subcontractors, agents are aware of the following provisions:
(a) Prohibiting our directors, employees, agents and sub-contractors who are involved in this
Contract from offering, soliciting or accepting any advantage as defined in section 2 of the
Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) when conducting business in connection with
this Contract;
(b) Requiring our directors, employees, agents and sub-contractors who are involved in
this Contract to declare in writing to us any conflict or potential conflict between their
personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Contract. In the event
that a conflict or potential conflict is disclosed, we will take such reasonable measures as
are necessary to mitigate as far as possible or remove the conflict or potential conflict so
disclosed;
(c) Prohibiting our directors and employees who are involved in this Contract from engaging in
any work or employment other than in the performance of this Contract, with or without
remuneration, which could create or potentially give rise to a conflict between their
personal/financial interests and their duties in connection with this Contract and requiring
our sub-contractors to do the same;
(d) Taking all measures as necessary to protect any confidential/privileged information or data
entrusted to us by or on behalf of the Employer from being divulged to a third party other
than those allowed in this Contract.
(Name of the Consultant)
(Name of the Signatory)
(Position of the Signatory)
(Date)
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Form 3Sample Form for Declaration of Conflict of Interest
Part A – Declaration of Conflict of Interest
To : * Chairman / Secretary of the Management Committee
Declaration of Conflict of Interest
I understand that if I, my family members and close relatives and personal friends have any
direct or indirect interest in any company which has business dealings with the Owners'
Corporation (OC), I shall make a declaration to the Management Committee.
I would like to declare the following existing / potential conflict of interest situation arising
from the discharge of my duties concerning the operation of the OC or as members of the
Management Committee:
a) Persons / companies with whom / which I have official dealings
b) My relationship with the persons / companies (e.g. relative)
c) Relationship of the persons / companies with the OC (e.g. supplier)
d) Brief description of my duties which involved the persons / companies
(e.g. handling of tender exercise)
Position and Name :
Signature :
Date :
(* For a declaration made by the Chairman of the MC, it should be addressed to the Secretary of the MC.)
110
Part B – Record of Resolution of the Management Committee
Record of Resolution of the Management Committee
With respect to the above declaration, the Management Committee passed the following
resolution:
q (name of the person making the declaration) should refrain from performing or getting involved in performing the work/duty, as described in Part A, which may give rise to a conflict.
q (name of the person making the declaration) may continue to handle the work/duty as described in Part A, provided that there is no change in the information declared above.
q Others (please specify)
Secretary: Chairman:
Signature: Signature:
Date of Meeting:
111
Form 3ASample Form for Declaration of Conflict of Interest (for use in tender)
Part A – Declaration of Conflict of Interest
To: Chairman / Secretary of the Management Committee* (MC) #
I / we, (name of the person / body corporate making the declaration)Note 1 with the following
responsibilities / duties in the tender:
(brief description of my / our work)
q confirm that I / we do not have conflict of interest, whether actual, potential or perceived one, in the tender under consideration; and undertake to declare so as soon as I / we become aware of such a conflict.
q would like to declare the following conflict of interest situation (e.g. a MC member engages a bidder of the tender to renovate his flat, a bidder of the tender is a subsidiary of the Property Manager CompanyNote 2):
a) Persons / companies with whom / which I have official dealings
b) My relationship with the persons / companies (e.g. relative)
c) Relationship of the persons / companies with the OC (e.g. supplier)
Signature :
Position and Name :
Company Name (if applicable) :
Date :
(* For a declaration made by the Chairman of the MC, it should be addressed to the Secretary of the MC.)
,
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Part B – Record of Resolution of the MC
With respect to the above declaration, the MC passed the following resolution: #
q (name of the person / body corporate making the declaration) may continue to handle the work as described in Part A, provided that there is no change in the information declared above.
q (name of the person / body corporate making the declaration) should be restricted in the work as described in Part A, details as follows (more than one option could be selected):
q withdraw from the MC meeting during the discussion concerned
q abstain from voting on the selection of such tender
q refrain from participating in any tender assessment or negotiation
q thers (please specify)
The justification(s) for the resolution above is / are:
Secretary: Chairman:
Signature: Signature:
Date of Meeting:
(# Tick as appropriate)
Note 1 : This form should be completed by the members of the MC and the agents / employees of the Owners’ Corporation (e.g. the Deed of Mutual Covenant Manager /
the Property Management Company and its employees)Note 2 : More examples of conflict of interest situation could be found in section 1.5.5 of the
Building Management Toolkit; section 1.4 of the Building Financial Management Toolkit; and section 1.5.2 of the Building Maintenance Toolkit
o
113
Form 4 Sample Form for Prequalification of Consultants through Open Invitation
Open Invitation for Prequalification of Consultantsfor Repair and Maintenance Works at
[Name and Address of Building / Estate]
This is to invite project consultants to express interest in undertaking the above consultancy
for the project. Interested consultants please submit the following documents and
information to the Owners’ Corporation on or before [Time & Date] at
[Address] for pre-qualification.
(1) Background and organisation of the company (including the year of formation in Hong
Kong, number of staff with professional qualification, list of associate consulting firms/
subsidiaries, etc.); and CV of the key staff;
(2) Audited accounts and documents on bank credit line (for the past two years);
(3) Job reference for consultancy service of maintenance work with similar nature for the
past three years, detailing the locations and total value of the maintenance works
(preferably attached with the appointment letter issued by the employers, i.e. the Owners’
Corporation).
(4) Copies of relevant government registration licences, including Authorized Persons’ Register,
Business Registration Certificate;
(5) Quality assurance certification (e.g. ISO 9001)*;
(6) Proof of Professional Indemnity Insurance; and
(7) Company Code of Conduct for Staff (if any).
Contact for enquiry: [Name & Telephone number of the person authorised by the OC]
Owner’s Corporation of [Name and Address of Building / Estate](* Delete as appropriate)
Drafting Note:To provide an indication of the possible scale of the project, OCs may include some basic information in the invitation, such as the number of blocks and flats involved.
114
Form 5 Sample Form for Prequalification of Contractors through Open Invitation
Open Invitation for Prequalification of Contractorsfor Repair and Maintenance Works at
[Name and Address of Building/Estate]
Tenders are invited for a repair and maintenance project at [Name and Address of Building /Estate]. Interested companies should submit the following information to the Owners’
Corporation on or before [Date & time] at
[Address] for prequalification.
(1) Copies of Business Registration Certificate and certificates of Registered General Building
Contractor / Registered Fire Service Installation Contractor / Licensed Plumbers*;
(2) Background and organisation of company, including the year of formation, number of staff
with professional / technical qualification and CV of key staff;
(3) Job reference for maintenance projects of a similar nature and with a contract sum above
HK$ in the past three years, including on-going and completed projects
(provide details of the locations and value of the project);
(4) Audited accounts for the past three years and statement issued by lawyer of no
involvement in arbitration or litigation (issued within the last 6 months);
(5) Reference letters issued by past employers, particularly other OCs, and
(6) Company Code of Conduct (if any).
Contact for enquiry: [Name & Telephone number of the person authorised by the OC]
Owner’s Corporation of [Name and Address of Building / Estate]
(* Delete as appropriate)
115
Form 6 Sample Evaluation Form for Prequalification of Consultants
[Name of Building/Estate] Repair and Renovation WorkPrequalification Assessment of Consultants
Assessment Criteria A B C D E F G H
Name of Consultant
(a) Limited company Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(b) Year of formation in Hong Kong
(c) Staffing:No. of staff with professional qualification
(d) Financial information(e.g. Documentary proof from banks)
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(e) Relevant job experience:- Being a consultant for repair works (Scope of works)
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
No. of projects:—
(f) Quality AssuranceCertification (e.g.: ISO 9001)1
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(g) Reference documents:- Professional Indemnity
Insurance- Registration with BD
(including Authorized Person (AP) / Registered Structural Engineer (RSE)/ Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE))
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
(h) No. of associateconsultant firms/subsidiaries
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
Yes(No. offirms:—)/ No
(i) Company code of conduct Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
Date :
Signature:
Name of Assessors :
1 The possession of internationally recognized quality assurance certifications (e.g. ISO 9001) by a consultant/organisation indicates that the consultant/organisation has implemented a quality management system which is in compliance with the requirements/frameworks set out by the international certification bodies (e.g. International Organization for Standardization).
116
Form 7 Sample Evaluation Form for Prequalification of Contractors
[Name of Building / Estate] Repair and Renovation WorkPrequalification Assessment of Contractors
Assessment Criteria A B C D E F G H
Name of Contractor
(a) Limited company Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(b) Year of formation in Hong Kong
(c) CV of key staff including siteagent and Board of Directors
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(d) Staffing:- No. of staff with professional / technical qualification; no. of Safety Officer
(e) Organisation chart of contractor's site staff
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(f) Financial information(e.g. Documentaryproof from banks)
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(g) Experience in building maintenance works projects
No. of Projects:
- No. of completed projects for past three years (with name and location of the buildings)
- No. of on-going projects (with name and location of the buildings)
- Appointment letters issued by the employers (i.e. the OC)
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
117
Assessment Criteria A B C D E F G H
Name of Contractor
(h) Reference documents:- Licensed Plumber*
- Registered Electrical Contractors*
- Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (Classes I & II)*
- Certification by a Legal Advisor – any on-going / previous lawsuits*
- Business Registration Certificate (Date of registration)*
- Relevant government registration (including RGBC)*
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / NoYes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
Yes ( ) / No
(i) Company codeof conduct
Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(* Delete as appropriate)
Date :
Signature:
Name of Assessors :
118
Form 8 Sample Form for Invitation of Fee Proposals for Consultancy Agreement
By Fax & By Post (Fax )
[Name and Address of Project Consultant]
[Date]
Our ref.:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Invitation of Fee Proposal for Consultancy Agreement forRepair and Renovation Work at [Name and Address of Building/Estate]
We write on behalf of [Name of the Owners’ Corporation]
(hereafter referred to as the Employer) to invite you to submit a fee proposal in relation to the
maintenance and improvement works at the subject premises.
1. Description of Repair and Renovation Works Required
[Include a general description of the repair and renovation works required and any orders /
advisory letters issued by the government.]
2. Scope of Services
The scope of services covered by the fee proposal shall include the following:
Stage I: Preliminary Proposal and Cost Estimate
1.1 Assist the Employer to develop the design brief.
1.2 Conduct building condition survey and identification of defects#.
1.3 Submit preliminary renovation and repair proposal with sketches and program.
1.4 Conduct evening meetings with owners on the preliminary design proposal.
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1.5 Submit a scheme design and a preliminary cost estimate for the Employer's consideration.
1.6 Provide recommendations and guidance for the Employer to select repair options, use of
materials, equipment/installation options, etc.
1.7 Study all relevant orders/advisory letters issued by the government and incorporate their
required works and cost into the design proposal and cost estimate#.
1.8 To liaise with government authorities in connection with the maintenance and
improvement works as necessary#.
(# Delete as appropriate)
Stage II: Preparation of Detailed Design, Cost Estimate and Tendering Arrangement
2.1 Review and study relevant drawings and regulations.
2.2 Prepare a detailed design (repair details, layout plans, colour schemes, elevations, material
samples) for the Employer's consideration.
2.3 Prepare a master programme for Employer's consideration.
2.4 Prepare a budget estimate for the Employer's consideration.
2.5 Prepare tender documents including the schedule of works, form of tender, tender
drawings, specifications and particulars for tender for the Employer's consideration.
2.6 Conduct pre-qualification of contractors, invite tenders & conduct tender analysis, and
make a recommendation for the Employer's consideration.
2.7 Inform the successful tenderer on behalf of the Employer.
Stage III: Contract Administration, Site Supervision and Construction Management
3.1 Prepare contract documents.
3.2 Submit quality site supervision plan.
3.3 Conduct site inspections to monitor the progress and quality of works in accordance with
the agreed quality site supervision plan.
3.4 Liaison with the Management Office for arrangement of site works.
3.5 Provide advice to the Employer on variation works.
3.6 Provide advice on payments to contractor(s).
3.7 Control the project cost.
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3.8 Issue Certificate of Practical Completion of the work.
3.9 Monitor the contractor(s) on defects rectification.
3.10 Conduct final inspection upon expiry of Defects Liability Period and prepare Final Accounts.
3.11 Handle contractual disputes.
3.12 Liaise with government departments on completion of works required by statutory orders/
notices, including preparation and submission of report/certificate of work completion#.
(# Delete as appropriate)
*(Where there is a condition survey report, add this statement :)
Enclosed herewith a copy of condition survey report prepared by
[Name of Consultant] for your reference.
3. Professional Fee
Separate fee should be quoted for each stage of works as follows:
Stage I: Preliminary Design
Stage II: Detailed Design & Tendering
Stage III: Contract Administration & Construction Management
You may propose the terms of payment in each stage of works.
[Include a requirement for the consultants to submit staffing proposals and breakdown of
consultancy fees at individual key stages, as shown below, to facilitate assessment of sufficiency
of manpower and reasonableness of consultancy fees.]
E s t i m a t e d T i m e f o r Each Stage (Month)
Allocation of Working Hours (Total Estimated Working Hours of Each Stage)
Consultancy Services Fee
(HK$)
Authorized Person(1 No.)
Project Manager
(1 No.)
Project Assistant (_No)
Preliminary Proposal and Cost Estimate(Include building condition survey, develop design brief, cost estimate and liaise with government authorities)
121
E s t i m a t e d T i m e f o r Each Stage (Month)
Allocation of Working Hours (Total Estimated Working Hours of Each Stage)
Consultancy Services Fee
(HK$)
Authorized Person(1 No.)
Project Manager
(1 No.)
Project Assistant (_No)
Preparation of Tender Document(Compiling all tender documents include design drawings, advise tendering procedures and work arrangement)
Tendering Stage(Conduct tender analysis and compile report)
Pre –construction Stage(Advise on fund contribution, contract compiling, review and approval of documents)
Construction Stage(Project monitoring and all contract administration works)
Completion Work and Maintenance Stage(Completion work inspection, monitoring and follow up action during maintenance period)
Total Working Period Total Consultancy Fee(HK$)
Remark: The above-mentioned work include attend management committee meeting/ ordinary general meeting to report and discuss issue related to the repair works.
4. Right of the Employer
The Employer has the liberty to engage partial services for any one of the above stages.
5. Validity of the Proposal
The tender shall be valid for at least 6 months from the date of the fee proposal.
6. Termination of Services
The professional service may be terminated by either party upon a 14-day prior written
notice to the last known address of the other party. The consultant shall be remunerated
based upon the services rendered up to the date of termination of the appointment.
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7. Probity and Anti-Collusion Clauses
[refer to Form 2(a) Sample probity and anti-collusion clauses for tender documents]
8. Insurance
The consultant shall, on written request by the Employer, produce evidence by way
of certificate of insurance, receipt of premium or otherwise as appropriate that the
professional indemnity and public liability insurance have been effected and remain in
effect.
9. Delivery of Proposal
Please submit your fee proposal together with your job reference in a sealed envelope
marked conspicuously "Confidential – Tender Document for Fee Proposal for Repair and
Renovation Work at [Name of Building/Estate]" and send
to the tender box at [Address for Return of Tender] on or
before [Time and Date for Return of Tender]. LATE SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
* Please return the Condition Survey Report as mentioned above with your fee proposal
submission.
(* delete as appropriate)
Should you require a site visit, please contact [Name] at
[Telephone Number ]. For any queries, please contact
[Name] at [Telephone Number].
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of [Name of the Owners' Corporation]
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Form 9Sample Form for Invitation of Tenders for Works Contract
Date:
To: [Contractor’s name and address]
Tender Invitation – Maintenance Project
You are invited to submit a tender for the maintenance works for our building at [Name and address of building]. The details of the works
requirements are as shown in the attached Form of Tender [, Drawings, Specifications]1 and Schedule of Works.
If your company is interested in undertaking the above maintenance works, please submit the completed Form of Tender [, your proposed drawings, specifications]2 and Schedule of Rates in a sealed envelope to the Tender Box at [Address] on or before
[Time & Date]. Late submission will not be accepted.
Your tender should also include a photocopy of your company code of conduct, Business Registration Certificate, certificate(s) of Registered General Building Contractor/ Registered Fire Service Installation Contractor/ Licensed Plumber3. The details of similar projects undertaken including position, contact details of referees and information of your company’s financial condition should also be submitted.
Should you require a site visit, please contact [Name] at [Telephone Number]. For any queries, please contact [Name] at [Telephone Number].
Stamp and Signature:
Name:
Chairman
Management Committee of the Owners’ Corporation
Encl. Form of Tender 4 [, Drawing, Specifications] 1 and Schedule of Works
Notes on using the sample invitation of tenders1. To be deleted if no specifications and drawings are provided to the tenderer.2. To be deleted by the OC before invitation of tender if the tenderer is not invited to submit drawings and
specifications.3. Delete as appropriate. 4. OCs may make reference to the standard form of tender and other tender/contract documents published
by the professional bodies.
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Form 10 Sample Record of Invitation of Tenders
Invitation letters calling for tenders for
have been sent to the following companies :
Name of Company Address
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Date:
Stamp and Signature:
Name:
Chairman / Member
Management Committee of the Owners’ Corporation
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Form 11 Sample Tender Opening Record
Tenders for have been invited and those received before the
submission deadline were opened on [date and time]. A total
of tenders in respect of the above-mentioned project were
received, names of which and their respective tender prices are listed below:
Name of Tenderer Tender Price
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Signature of Witness
Name Post Signature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date:
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Form 12 Sample Tender Evaluation Form for Consultancy Agreement
[Name of Building / Estate]Tender Evaluation for Consultancy Agreement
for Repair and Renovation Works
Evaluation Criteria Lowest bid 2nd lowest bid 3rd lowest bid
Name of Consultant
(1) Limited company
(2) No. of staff with professional qualification
(3) Financial status
(4) Job reference of past three years:Being a consultant for repair works projects
No. of projects
(5) Quality assurance certification (e.g.: ISO 9001)
(6) Proof of professional indemnity insurance
(7) Registered with BD as an AP/RSE/RGE
(8) Tender price for:
(a) Phase 1 $ $ $
(b) Phase 2 $ $ $
(c) Phase 3 $ $ $
(d) Tender Sum $ $ $
(9) Validity period of tender upon return of tender documents
No. of months:_
No. of months:_
No. of months:_
(10) Scope of services:(a) Standard services Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(b) Additional services Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(11) Company code of conduct Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No
(12) Others
Notes: Where necessary, requests for outstanding information from tenderers can be made.
Date :
Signature:
Name of Assessors :
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Form 13 Sample Tender Evaluation Form for Works Contract
[Name of Building / Estate]Tender Evaluation for Works Contract
for Repair and Renovation Works
Evaluation Criteria Lowest bid 2nd lowest bid 3rd lowest bid
Name of Contractor
(1) Limited company
(2) Curriculum Vitae of key staff including site agent and Board of Directors
(3) No. of staff with professional / technical qualification
(4) No. of Safety Officer
(5) Organisation chart of contractor's site staff
(6) Experience in building maintenance works projects for past three years:
No. of projects
Completed projects
On-going projects
(7)Financial information (e.g. Documentary proof from banks)
(8)Certification by a Legal Advisor – any on-going /previous lawsuits
(9) Licensed Plumber
(10) Registered Electrical Contractor
(11)Registered Fire Service Installation Contractor(Classes I & II)
(12) Business Registration Certificate
(13) Relevant government registration (including RGBC)
(14) Tender Sum $ $ $
(15)Validity period of tender upon return of tenderdocuments
No. of months: No. of months: No. of months:
(16) Others
Notes: Requests for outstanding information from tenderers can be made as necessary.
Date :
Signature:
Name of Assessors :
128
Form 14 Sample Notices to Tenderers, Property Owners and Occupants
(i) Notice to Property Owners and Occupants
Date:
To: Owners / Occupants
Resolution on the Selection of Consultant/Contractor*
I refer to the tendering exercise held recently for
at our building and make reference to the approval by OC at the general meeting held
on . After careful consideration, it was resolved that the
consultancy agreement / contract* would be awarded to [Name of the Company], reason(s)
being:
Stamp and Signature:
Name:
Chairman
Management Committee of the Owners’ Corporation
(*Delete as appropriate)
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(ii) Notice to Successful Tenderer
Date :
To : Tenderer
Tendering Result (For successful tenderer)
I refer to the tender submitted by your company for
at our building. I am pleased to inform you that the Owners’ Corporation has, after
prudent consideration of your tender, decided to award the consultancy agreement/
contract* to your company. Please contact [Name / post] of the Owners’ Corporation at
to discuss the subsequent arrangements.
Stamp and Signature:
Name:
Chairman
Management Committee of the Owners’ Corporation
(*Delete as appropriate)
130
(iii) Notice to Unsuccessful Tenderers
Date:
To: Tenderer
Tendering Result (For unsuccessful tenderer)
W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e t e n d e r s u b m i t t e d b y y o u r c o m p a n y f o r
at our building, I regret to inform you that
your company has not been selected for the project. The selected company is
.
If you have any queries, please contact [Name / post] of the Owners’ Corporation at
.
Thank you for taking part in the tendering exercise.
Stamp and Signature:
Name:
Chairman
Management Committee of the Owners’ Corporation
Annexes
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Annex 1Building Defects & Maintenance Tips
Disclaimer:The following building maintenance hints only offer general information and guidance on maintenance for reference purpose. The building defects list is only for common defects and should not be considered as exhaustive. The maintenance methods provided cannot be regarded as specific solutions suitable for any individual case. It is advised that owners or OCs should seek independent professional advice on details of approach for dealing with individual cases.
Spalling/Defective Concrete
How it looks• Cracking and bulging concrete
• Falling off concrete with rusty steel bar exposed
• Patterned cracking concrete
• Concrete surface with rust and /or water stain
Possible causes• Prolonged water seepage/leakage at concrete
• Insufficient concrete cover protection
• Overloading of concrete structure
• Carbonation of concrete
Tips on maintenance• Saw-cut around loose concrete
• Hack off all loose concrete to expose sound concrete
surface
• Chisel concrete to expose steel bar including its
behind
• Remove all steel rust and apply primer and bonding
agent
• Carry out patch repair with suitable repair mortar
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Spalling/Defective Concrete
Other guidanceWhen area of spalling/defective concrete is very
extensive, complete removal of existing concrete and
re-casting of new concrete should be more appropriate
and cost effective. Professional advice should be sought
(e.g. from RSE) including relevant legal requirements as
it involves building structure.
Spalling concrete, especially at a high level, can
pose a threat to pedestrian. It is advised that those
loosen parts, once discovered, should be hacked off
immediately where possible and the area underneath
should be fenced off before remedial works are carried
out.
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Debonded Plaster
How it looks• Bulging on plaster/tiles with/without surface crack
• Hollow sound is noted when tapping on plaster/tile
surface
• Falling off/cracked plaster/tiles
Possible causes• Failure of bonding agent between concrete surface
and plaster/tile
• Poor workmanship
• Inappropriate bonding agent used
Tips on maintenance• Saw-cut around loose plaster/tiles
• Hack off loose plaster/tiles down to concrete surface
• Prepare surface to ensure it is clean
• For tile, apply bonding agent in accordance with
manufacturer’s specification
• Apply plaster and fix tile in accordance with
recognised standard and manufacturer’s instruction
Other guidanceDebonded plaster/tile, especially at a high level on
external wall, can pose a threat to pedestrian. It
is advised that those debonded plaster/tile, once
discovered, should be hacked off where possible and
the area underneath should be fenced off before
remedial work are carried out.
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Painting Defects
(i) Peeling Off How it looks• Painting detached from wall/other material surface
usually like being randomly stripped off
Possible causes• Inappropriate/lack of primer before applying paint
• Moisture at wall push the paint-film off the wall
• Grease and dirts remain on the base when applying
primer
Tips on maintenance• Apply suitable primer according to manufacturer’s
instruction
• Rectify water leakage before applying paint work
(ii) Algae & Fungi on Painting Surface
How it looks• Green, reddish and black colour on external surface
signify the different stages of growth at ceiling/wall
surface
Possible causes• Growth of algae and fungi in suitable environment
of nutrients, moisture, sunlight, etc.
Tips on maintenance• Wash all affected areas
• Treat surface with anti-algae solution
• Wash to remove any residue and allow to dry
• Remove water source & moisture
• Apply algistatic high performance water-resistant
coating system
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Water Leakage/Seepage – Seepage at Wall/Floor/Roof
How it looks• Damp patches on wall/ceiling surface
Possible causes• Defective concrete (e.g. honeycomb, crack at
external wall ) allowing water ingress (rain water)
into premises
• Leakage through holes for wall-ties left behind on
concrete wall
• Leakage through defective expansion joints of
building
• Defective water proofing membrane at roof/floor/
water tank
Tips on maintenance• Identify the reason and source of leakage
• Hack off all plaster to expose defective concrete
• Seal all cracks & holes by appropriate repairing
chemical grout or hack off all defective concrete and
recasting concrete
• Repair defective expansion joint
• Replace defective waterproof membrane or all
membrane at roof/floor/water tank
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Electrical Installations
How it looks• Wiring, meters and switches installed disorderly
• Outdated/dilapidated electrical installations
Possible causes• Vandalism
• Unauthorized connection
• Lack of proper maintenance and management
Tips on maintenance• Appoint a registered electrical contractor to carry out
repair works / upgrading works
• Appoint a registered electrical contractor to conduct
Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification for
fixed electrical installations, and issue Periodic Test
Certificate (WR2) with EMSD's endorsement at least
once every 5 years
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Plumbing and Drainage System Defects
How it looks• Damp patches at wall/ceiling
• Foul smell and blockage
• Rusty pipe
• Ruptured/burst pipe
• Yellowish fresh water or sediments in potable water
supply system
Possible causes• Drainage/water pipe concealed inside wall/floor is
leaking
• Blockage of drainage pipe due to disposal of solid
wastes into drains or inappropriate pipe sizing
• Corroded pipe material causing rusting and ruptured
surface
• Corrosion inside galvanized iron pipe in potable water
system
• Missing water trap for floor drain and bath tub
• Water-seal dried up in water trap
Tips on maintenance• Carry out appropriate water testing to identify the
leakage source
• Replace defective pipework
• Replace galvanized iron pipe by corrosion resistant
pipe in potable water system
• Clean the fresh water tank at least once every 3
months
• Clean the flush water tank at least once every 6
months
• Install water trap for floor drain and bath tub
• Fill up water trap at floor drain with water periodically
139
Plumbing and Drainage System Defects
Other guidanceIt is the legal requirement that a licensed plumber should
be engaged to carry out all works related to water
supply pipe.
140
Window Defects
How it looks• Water leakage through window frames
• Deformed window frame/hinge
• Loosen hinge/screws
• Rusty hinge/screws
• Broken glazing
Possible causes• Aged/defective water-proof sealant & gaskets
• Defective water-proof grouting between frame and
concrete
• Deformed window frame
• Lack of routine inspections
• Lack of rain dripping design at external wall
• Vandalism/ misuse
Tips on maintenance• Carry out periodic checking and greasing to ensure
windows function properly and carry out appropriate
repair where necessary
• Replace defective sealant/water proofing grouting/
gaskets/screws/hinges/putty
• Paint the steel window regularly to avoid rusting
• Replace broken glass panel
Other guidance• It is advised that experienced and competent
tradesman should be employed to carry out window
checking and repair works.
• Window defects can pose a threat to pedestrian or
other third parties. Those defects, once discovered,
should be rectified by a competent tradesman as
soon as possible.
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Building Fire Safety
How it looks• Fire door damaged/could not self-close
• Missing fire door
• Broken glazing of vision panel
• Malfunction of/expiry of Certificate of Fire Service
Installations and Equipment (extinguisher, fire hydrant
and hose reel, fire alarm system, exit sign, sprinkler
system, emergency lighting, emergency generator,
fireman's lift, etc.)
Possible causes• Vandalism/misuse
• Failure of hinges/door closers of fire doors
• Lack of proper routine maintenance
Tips on maintenance• Replace/repair damaged parts of fire door such as
glazing of vision panels, handles, door hinges and
door closers
• Replace whole set of fire door (including door frame)
with a valid fire certificate
• Appoint registered FSI contractor to carry out annual
inspection and respective repair works to fire service
installations and equipment, and issue Form FS251
and report to FSD.
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Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets
How it looks• Corrugated asbestos cement sheets in cages,
window canopies or roofing structures.
• Other more hazardous forms of asbestos in rope
lagging on hot water pipe, fire retardant seal inside
cable riser, etc.
Tips on maintenance• Corrugated asbestos cement sheets do not pose
a health risk when intact and left undisturbed.
But when the sheets are broken into pieces or
dismantled inappropriately, asbestos fibres may be
released with great potential of affecting adversely
the health of workers and building occupiers.
• Asbestos waste is a chemical waste prescribed under
the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General)
Regulation. It shall be placed into metal drums or
strong plastic containers before being taken away by
licensed chemical waste collector for proper disposal.
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Annex 2Extracts from Building Management Ordinance (Cap 344)
Section 20A
(1) The procurement of all supplies, goods or services required by a corporation in the exercise
of its powers and the performance of its duties under the deed of mutual covenant (if any)
or this Ordinance shall comply with such standards and guidelines as may be specified in a
Code of Practice relating to such procurement.
(2) Subject to subsection (2A), any supplies, goods or services referred to in subsection (1) the
value of which exceeds or is likely to exceed —
(a) the sum of $200,000 or such other sum in substitution therefor as the Authority may
specify by notice in the Gazette; or
(b) a sum which is equivalent to 20% of the annual budget of the corporation or such
other percentage in substitution therefor as the Authority may specify by notice in the
Gazette,
whichever is the lesser, shall be procured by invitation to tender.
(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to any supplies, goods or services which but for this
subsection would be required to be procured by a corporation by invitation to tender
(referred to in this subsection as “relevant supplies, goods or services”) if—
(a) the relevant supplies, goods or services are of the same type as any supplies,
goods or services which are for the time being supplied to the corporation by
a supplier; and
(b) the corporation decides by a resolution of the owners passed at a general
meeting of the corporation that the relevant supplies, goods or services shall
be procured from that supplier on such terms and conditions as specified in
the resolution, instead of by invitation to tender.
(2B) Where any supplies, goods or services are required under subsection (2)(b) to be
procured by invitation to tender, whether a tender submitted for the purpose is accepted
or not shall be decided by a resolution of the owners passed at a general meeting of the
corporation.
(3) (Repealed 5 of 2007 s. 16)
144
(4) All tender documents, copies of contracts, accounts and invoices and any other documents
in the possession of a corporation and relating to the procurement of supplies, goods and
services shall be kept by the corporation for such period, being not less than 6 years, as the
corporation may determine.
(5) A contract for the procurement of any supplies, goods or services shall not be void by
reason only that it does not comply with subsection (1).
(6) Where any supplies, goods or services are required under subsection (2) to be procured
by invitation to tender, a contract for the procurement of the supplies, goods or services
which does not comply with subsection (2) or (2B) —
(a) subject to any resolution passed by the corporation under paragraph (b) or any order
made by the court under subsection (7), shall not be void by reason only that it does
not comply with subsection (2) or (2B);
(b) subject to any order made by the court under subsection (7), may be avoided by
the corporation by a resolution of the owners passed at a general meeting of the
corporation but only for the reason that it does not comply with subsection (2) or (2B).
(7) In any legal proceedings in relation to a contract for the procurement of any supplies,
goods or services to which subsection (2) or (2B) applies, the court may make such orders
(including whether the contract is void or voidable) and give such directions in respect of
the rights and obligations of the contractual parties as the court thinks fit having regard to
all the circumstances of the case, including (but not limited to) the following factors —
(a) whether the supplies, goods or services have been procured by invitation to tender;
(b) whether a general meeting of the corporation has been convened to consider the
procurement of the supplies, goods or services;
(c) whether the Code of Practice referred to in subsection (1) has been complied with;
(d) whether the contract has been split, for the sole purpose of avoiding the compliance
of the requirements in subsection (2) or (2B), from a contract which should have been
made for the procurement of supplies, goods or services of greater value;
(e) whether the supplies, goods or services were urgently required;
(f) the progress of any activities or works in relation to the supplies, goods or services;
(g) whether the owners have benefited from the contract;
(h) whether the owners have incurred any financial loss due to the contract and the
extent thereof;
145
(i) whether the supplier of the supplies, goods or services under the contract has acted
in good faith;
(j) whether the supplier of the supplies, goods or services under the contract has
benefited from the contract; and
(k) whether the supplier of the supplies, goods or services under the contract has
incurred any financial loss due to the contract and the extent thereof.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), where the court makes an order that the contract
is voidable at the instance of the corporation, it shall also make an order that a general
meeting of the corporation be convened and held in such manner as the court thinks fit,
so as to decide whether the contract is to be avoided.
(9) For the avoidance of doubt, subject to section 29A, any person who enters into a contract
for the procurement of any supplies, goods or services otherwise than in compliance with
subsection (2) or, if applicable, subsection (2B) may be personally liable for any claims
arising from the contract.
146
Annex 3Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services (Revised Version)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods & Services (Code of
Practice) is issued by the Secretary for Home Affairs, as the Authority under the
Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO), under section 44(1)(a) of the
Ordinance. This Code of Practice shall be read in conjunction with the relevant
provisions in the BMO.
1.2 All owners’ corporations (OCs) shall comply with this Code of Practice.
1.3 For buildings without an OC, pursuant to section 34E of the BMO, the provisions
in Schedule 7 shall be impliedly incorporated into every Deed of Mutual Covenant
(DMC) made before, on or after the material date as provided under section 34D of
the BMO. The DMC manager or any other person who for the time being is, for the
purposes of the DMC, managing the building, shall comply with Schedule 7 to the
BMO and this Code of Practice in relation to the procurement of supplies, goods and
services.
1.4 All OCs shall comply with section 20A of the BMO in relation to the procurement of
supplies, goods and services. For the avoidance of doubt, all OCs shall comply with
the requirements related to tendering in this Code of Practice if invitation to tender is
required for the procurement of the supplies, goods or services under section 20A of
and paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to the BMO.
2.0 CODE OF CONDUCT
2.1 A Management Committee (MC) shall conduct a tender exercise in an open and fair
manner.
2.2 In the exercise of his powers and the performance of his duties under the BMO, a
member of the MC shall not solicit or accept any advantage from any supplier or
contractor in relation to the tender.
147
2.3 An agent1 (including its employees) or employee of an OC is prohibited from
soliciting or accepting any advantage arising from the performance of his duties. An
agent or employee of an OC shall declare in writing any actual or potential conflict of
interest arising from the performance of his duties in accordance with the guidelines
issued by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)2.
2.4 An agent (including its employees) or employee of an OC should declare in writing
whether he has any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest at the start of
preparation or deliberation of tender documents or as soon as he becomes aware of
a potential conflict.
2.5 An agent (including its employees) or employee of an OC should take steps to
avoid any conflict of interest with any prospective tenderer or tenderer by not
putting himself in a position of obligation towards any of them, for example, by not
accepting any favour or lavish or excessive entertainment, and not over-socialising
with any of them.
2.6 A member of the MC shall disclose in writing to the MC any personal, business
or pecuniary interest or any other relationship that he may have with the DMC
Manager, Property Management Company, consultants or professional service
providers for the OC, or in any of the tenders to be considered by the MC or the OC.
An MC member who has indicated a personal, business or pecuniary interest in the
tender shall withdraw from the meeting during the discussion concerned and abstain
from voting on the selection of such tender at an MC meeting.
2.7 The DMC Manager or the Property Management Company (if any) and its employees
shall be required to disclose in writing to the MC any personal, business or pecuniary
interest that he may have with any MC member, consultants or professional service
providers for the OC, or in any of the tenders to be considered by the MC or the OC.
The DMC Manager or the Property Management Company (if any) and its employees
who have indicated a personal, business or pecuniary interest in the tender shall
refrain from participating in any tender assessment or negotiation.
2.8 Any declaration by a member of an MC/an agent (including its employees) or
employee of an OC should be recorded in the minutes of relevant MC meetings or as
part of the tender documents and should be kept for at least six years.
1 For the purposes of this section, a manager or other professional trade or business firm or person retained and
remunerated by the corporation and to carry out any of the duties or powers of the corporation under the BMO
or the DMC (if any) pursuant to section 18(2)(c) of the BMO would be regarded as an agent.2 The guidelines in the Building Management Toolkit issued by the ICAC are accessible via the following link:
http://www.bm.icac.hk/en/education_and_publicity_materials/education_and_publicity_materials.aspx
148
3.0 PREPARATION OF INVITATION TO TENDER
3.1 The MC shall prepare an invitation to tender setting out the types of supplies, goods
or services required, the respective estimated costs, the period open for tender and
other terms and conditions of the relevant contract. A copy of the invitation to tender
shall be displayed in a prominent place in the building.
3.2 MCs are advised to as far as practicable, having regard to the nature of the
procurement, adopt open tendering, such as putting advertisements on newspapers,
to enhance tender competition and minimise the risks of tender collusion.
3.3 An MC shall not split a contract of procurement from a contract which should have
been made for the procurement of greater value for the sole purpose of avoiding the
compliance of requirements in section 20A of the BMO.
3.4 The closing date and time for acceptance of tenders shall be clearly stated in the
invitation to tender. Late submissions shall not be accepted.
3.5 MCs are advised to build in probity and anti-collusion clauses in the related tender
documents. MCs may refer to the Building Management Toolkit3 issued by the ICAC
for the sample probity and anti-collusion clauses.
3.6 If the tendering exercises involve mandatory works as stipulated in relevant statutory
notice(s), order(s) or direction(s) issued by relevant government department(s) or
authority(ies) (collectively referred to as government repair orders), such information
should be made available to the owners –
(a) before the invitation to tender is prepared (e.g. posting the government repair
orders in a conspicuous place of the building when received; making available a
copy of the government repair orders at the management office for inspection
by the owners); and
(b) before the resolution concerned is put to vote (e.g. attaching a copy of the
government repair orders to the notice of meeting at which the tender is to be
approved),
so as to facilitate the MC members/owners in understanding and making a well
informed decision on the scope of the procurement.
3 The Building Management Toolkit can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.bm.icac.hk/en/education_and_publicity_materials/education_and_publicity_materials.aspx
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4.0 NUMBER OF TENDERS TO BE INVITED
4.1 Where tender is required pursuant to section 20A of or paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to
the BMO, the minimum number of tenders to be invited shall be as follows –
(a) three in the case of a contract for the procurement of supplies, goods or services
the value of which exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $200,000; or
(b) five in the case of a contract for the procurement of supplies, goods or services
the value of which exceeds $200,000.
4.2 Where the number of valid tenders obtained is fewer than the number of tenders
stipulated above, the MC shall pass a resolution to accept or reject the tender
exercise.
5.0 COLLECTION AND OPENING OF TENDERS
5.1 A tender shall be in writing and be sealed and deposited in a strong double locked
box marked “Tender-Box ( 投 標 箱 )” provided for that purpose only and such box
shall be securely located in a prominent place in the building. The two keys of the
tender-box are to be separately kept by the chairman, secretary or treasurer.
5.2 Where it is impracticable or difficult to comply with the requirement under paragraph
5.1 above, the OC may, by a resolution passed at a general meeting of the OC,
accept tenders handed in or sent by post to the registered office of the OC or to
a specific venue as resolved at a general meeting. The tenders shall be properly
acknowledged and kept safely.
5.3 All tenders shall be opened at the same time in the presence of at least three
members of the MC who shall countersign and date each of the tenders.
5.4 Notwithstanding the requirements set out in this section, where any procurement
of supplies, goods and services by an OC is conducted under any Rehabilitation
Schemes operated by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA)4 the OC should comply
with all relevant rules, guidelines and/or requirements relating to the conduct of the
tender exercise adopted in such service/scheme instead.
4 The Rehabilitation Schemes operated by the URA may be referred to via the following link:
https://www.ura.org.hk/
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6.0 CONSIDERATION AND DECISION ON ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS5
6.1 For procurement of supplies, goods and services whose value does not exceed
the sum stipulated in section 20A(2)(b) of the BMO, all tenders received shall be
submitted to the MC for decision on acceptance at a meeting of the MC.
6.2 A tender which requires approval from a general meeting of the OC must be passed
by majority votes. Where there are more than two alternatives and no option receives
majority votes in the first round of voting, the general meeting of the OC will have to
conduct a second round of voting in order to comply with the majority requirement.
Some plausible methods of voting are –
(a) Progressive elimination – After the first round of voting, the general meeting of
the OC may eliminate the option with the least number of votes and then carry
out the second round of voting. If there is no option which receives majority
votes, another round of voting will be carried out, with one more option being
eliminated. If this goes on, only two options will be left in the final round of
voting. Either one of the options will receive majority votes;
(b) Short-listing – After the first round of voting, the general meeting of the OC
may short-list the two options which gain the greatest number of votes for
a second round of voting. This also means that the ultimate choice fulfils the
majority requirement;
(c) Confirmation – A second round of voting could be carried out to confirm the
option which has attained the greatest number of votes in the first round. This
also ensures that majority votes are achieved.
6.3 After approving the award of consultancy agreement/works contract, MCs are advised to
notify all tenderers, property owners and occupants in writing of the tender result.
5 Please also refer to section 20A of and paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to the BMO.
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7.0 KEEPING AND INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER PROCESS6
7.1 The MC shall permit the Authority, the tenants’ representative, an owner, a registered
mortgagee or any other person authorised in writing by an owner or a registered
mortgagee to inspect all tender documents, copies of contracts, accounts and
invoices and any other documents in the possession of the OC and relating to the
procurement of supplies, goods and services at any reasonable time. The MC shall on
the payment of a reasonable charge, supply copies of the relevant documents.
8.0 TIMING OF SIGNING CONTRACTS
8.1 To reduce possible disputes arising from the signing of contracts between OCs
and suppliers/contractors within a very short period of time after the passing of
resolutions on certain major projects, for tenders whose value exceeds 20% of the
annual budget of the OC, the OC concerned should consider, having regard to the
circumstances of the case, signing the contract with suppliers/contractors at least one
month after the passing of the relevant resolution at a general meeting of the OC.
6 Please also refer to section 20A of the BMO.
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Annex 4Notices or Directions Issued by Various Government Departments
Apart from Buildings Department and Fire Services Department, notices or directions may be
issued by other government departments. Some examples are listed below for reference.
(a) Water Supplies Department
Notices may be served to registered consumers of inside services or fire services or to
agents of communal services under Section 16 of Waterworks Ordinance (Cap 102) in the
following situations:
u unauthorized alteration of waterworks;
u waste or pollution of a supply or there being such a risk; or
u non-compliance of inside services or fire services under the provisions of the
Waterworks Ordinance.
(b) Environmental Protection Department (EPD)
The following notices may be served by EPD:
u under Section 3 of Water Pollution Control (Sewerage) Regulation (Cap 358AL) to
enable connection to public sewage system;
u under Section 10 of Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 311) in respect of emission
of air pollutants which may cause deposit of dust/grit or objectionable odour or have
adverse health effect, etc.; or
u under Section 13 of the Noise Control Ordinance (Cap 400) requiring the owner,
tenant, occupier or person in charge of the common facilities or commercial/industrial
flats of a building to bring his noise emissions into a state of compliance by certain
date.
(c) Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)
(i) Electrical installation Notice may be served under the Electricity Ordinance (Cap 406) for lack of repair,
maintenance and test and to request an owner to rectify any problem associated with an
electrical installation in a building so as to ensure electrical safety.
153
(ii) Gas installation EMSD may serve an improvement notice under the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap 51) to
remedy any contravention of the Ordinance so as to ensure gas safety. The contravention
may be due to lack of repair, maintenance or testing of piped or cylinder gas installations.
(iii) Lift and escalators installations Notice may be served under the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap 618) for the lift and
escalator installations of building not complying with the legal requirements. The objective
is to ensure the lifts and escalators meet safety standards.
(d) Food & Environmental Hygiene Department
Notice may be served under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132)
for the abatement of sanitary nuisance arising from water seepage in private premises.
The above list is not exhaustive. The relevant legislations can be downloaded from the
Hong Kong e-Legislation (https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/).
154
Annex 5Extracts from Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201)
Section 9 : Corrupt transactions with agents
(1) Any agent who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicits or accepts any
advantage as an inducement to or reward for or otherwise on account of his-
(a) doing or forbearing to do, or having done or forborne to do, any act in relation to his
principal's affairs or business; or
(b) showing or forbearing to show, or having shown or forborne to show, favour or
disfavour to any person in relation to his principal's affairs or business,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offers any advantage to
any agent as an inducement to or reward for or otherwise on account of the agent's-
(a) doing or forbearing to do, or having done or forborne to do, any act in relation to his
principal's affairs or business; or
(b) showing or forbearing to show, or having shown or forborne to show, favour or
disfavour to any person in relation to his principal's affairs or business,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) Any agent who, with intent to deceive his principal, uses any receipt, account or other
document-
(a) in respect of which the principal is interested; and
(b) which contains any statement which is false or erroneous or defective in any material
particular; and
(c) which to his knowledge is intended to mislead the principal,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) If an agent solicits or accepts an advantage with the permission of his principal, being
permission which complies with subsection (5), neither he nor the person who offered the
advantage shall be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2).
155
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) permission shall-
(a) be given before the advantage is offered, solicited or accepted; or
(b) in any case where an advantage has been offered or accepted without prior
permission, be applied for and given as soon as reasonably possible after such offer or
acceptance,
and for such permission to be effective for the purposes of subsection (4), the principal
shall, before giving such permission, have regard to the circumstances in which it is sought.
Section 2 : Interpretation
"Advantage" means -
(a) any gift, loan, fee, reward or commission consisting of money or of any valuable
security or of other property or interest in property of any description;
(b) any office, employment or contract;
(c) any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability,
whether in whole or in part;
(d) any other service, or favour (other than entertainment), including protection from any
penalty or disability incurred or apprehended or from any action or proceedings of a
disciplinary, civil or criminal nature, whether or not already instituted;
(e) the exercise or forbearance from the exercise of any right or any power or duty; and
(f) any offer, undertaking or promise, whether conditional or unconditional, of any
advantage within the meaning of any of the preceding paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and
(e),
but does not include an election donation within the meaning of the Elections (Corrupt
and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (Cap 554), particulars of which are included in an election
return in accordance with that Ordinance;
“Entertainment" means -
the provision of food or drink, for consumption on the occasion when it is provided, and of any
other entertainment connected with, or provided at the same time as, such provisions.
156
Annex 6Contacts of ICAC
Reporting Corruption
• Any party may lodge a corruption complaint with the ICAC through the following channels:
Enquiries / Services
• Any party may also contact the ICAC Regional Offices listed below or call the Integrity
Building Management Enquiry Hotline at 2929 4555 for enquiries and corruption prevention
services.
ICAC Regional Offices:
Hong Kong East
Address: Unit 3, G/F, East Town Building, 16 Fenwick Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: 2519 6555
Fax: 2824 9766
Hong Kong West/Islands
Address: Ground Floor, Harbour Commercial Building, 124 Connaught Road, Central, H.K.
Tel: 2543 0000
Fax: 2545 5036
By phone: 25 266 366 (24-hour hotline)
By mail: G.P.O. Box 1000, Hong Kong
In person: ICAC Report Centre (24-hour service)G/F, 303 Java Road, North Point, Hong KongorAny ICAC Regional Offices (opening hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
157
Kowloon East/Sai Kung
Address: Shop No. 9, G/F, Chevalier Commercial Centre, 8 Wang Hoi Road, Kowloon Bay,
Kowloon
Tel: 2756 3300
Fax: 2174 4129
Kowloon West
Address: Ground Floor, Nathan Commercial Building, 434-436 Nathan Road, Kowloon
Tel: 2780 8080
Fax: 2770 5158
New Territories East
Address: G06-G13, G/F, Shatin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Shatin,
New Territories
Tel: 2606 1144
Fax: 2601 6447
New Territories North West
Address: G/F, Fu Hing Building, 230 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories
Tel: 2459 0459
Fax: 2146 4352
New Territories South West
Address: Shop B1, G/F, Tsuen Kam Centre, 300-350 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan,
New Territories
Tel: 2493 7733
Fax: 2405 6360
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Annex 7Corruption Prevention Advisory Service – Consultancy Services to Private Sector
• The Corruption Advisory Service Prevetnion (CPAS) of the Corruption Prevention
Department, ICAC provides consultancy service to private organisations, e.g. PMCs,
consultants and contractors, assisting them in improving management systems, adopting
best practices and control measures, and drawing up a code of conduct to prevent abuse
and corruption.
• Every year, CPAS provides tailor-made advice to over 300 private organisations on a wide
spectrum of systems, such as procurement, store management, sales and accounting, staff
administration, works-related contract letting and management, etc.
• CPAS's service is :
– Free of charge
– Tailor-made to suit the organisation's needs
• All information is handled with strict confidence
• CPAS pledges to respond to your request within two working days.
To seek advice from CPAS, please contact:
Hotline : 2526 6363
Fax : 2522 0505
Email : [email protected]
Website : http://cpas.icac.hk
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Annex 8Useful Contacts
Government Departments and Public Organisations
• OCs/Owners may contact the following government departments and public organisations
for assistance and enquiry related to building maintenance works. Readers can also refer to
the relevant websites of the government departments, public organisations and professional
institutes for the most updated details of the contacts.
Home Affairs Department
Enquires about :
• Building management
matters
• Formation of OC
• Legal requirements under
BMO
31/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
Website: www.buildingmgt.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Facsimile: 2147 0984
District Building Management Liaison Teams of 18 District Offices :
Central and WesternEasternSouthernWan ChaiKowloon CityKwun TongSham Shui PoWong Tai SinYau Tsim MongIslands Kwai TsingNorthSai KungSha TinTai PoTsuen Wan Tuen MunYuen Long
Telephone Number :
2119 50102886 65692814 57632835 19992621 34062171 74652150 81752324 18712399 21552852 43182494 45432675 17193740 53512158 53882654 12623515 56542451 34662470 1125
160
Urban Renewal Authority
Enquires about :
• Operation of IBMAS Hotline
of 3188 1188 for the
following schemes:
IBMAS
MBISS
OBB 2.0
FSWS
"Smart Tender"Building
Rehabilitation Facilitating
Services
Head Office : 26/F COSCO Tower, 183 Queen's Road
Central, Hong Kong
Website: www.ura.org.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Hotline: 2588 2222
Facsimile: 2827 0176
Urban Renewal Resource CentreAddress: No 6., Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon
Telephone: 2588 2488
Hong Kong Housing Society
Enquires about :
• Operation of IBMAS Hotline
of 3188 1188 for the
following schemes:
IBMAS
MBISS
• Operation of VBAS Hotline of
8108 0108
Head Office : 29/F World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester
Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Website: www.hkhs.com
E-mail Address: [email protected] (for IBMAS & OBB 2.0)
[email protected] (for VBAS)
General Enquiry: 3188 1188 / 2839 7128
Facsimile: 2972 2385
Property Management Advisory Centre Telephone: Main Office 2839 7128
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Buildings Department
Enquires about :
• Repair orders and other
statutory orders
• Unauthorized building works
and dangerous private
buildings
• Building Safety Loan Scheme
• Register of APs, RGBC,
RI, RSE, RGE, RMWC and
other Registered Specialist
Contractors
• Building safety
12/F, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon
Website: www.bd.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Enquiry and Complaint Hotline (24 hours): 2626 1616
(handled by 1823)Facsimile: 2537 4992
Community Advisory UnitOpening hours: Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Fire Services Department
Enquires about :
• Fire safety and prevention
• Fire Safety Directions
• FSI Contractors
• FSI Installations
• Fire hazards and dangerous
goods
Fire Services Headquarters, 1 Hong Chong Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
Website: www.hkfsd.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Enquiry and Complaint Hotline (24 hours): 2723 8787
Fire Safety Command / Building Improvement Division: 2272 9112
Facsimile: 2716 2970
The local fire stations can be contacted for any inquiry related to fire services
162
Civil Engineering and Development Department
Enquires about :
• Information on slope safety
and maintenance
Civil Engineering and Development Building,
101 Princess Margaret Road, Homantin, Kowloon
Community Advisory UnitTelephone: 2760 5800
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Departmental Website: www.cedd.gov.hk
Hong Kong Slope Safety Web Site: hkss.cedd.gov.hk
Facsimile: 2762 2389
Drainage Services Department
Enquires about :
• Drainage matters relating
to the connection of private
drains to the public drainage
system
43/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
Website: www.dsd.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Drainage Complaint Hotline (24 hours): 2300 1110
General Enquiry: 2877 0660
Customer Services Enquiry (Sewage Services): 2834 9432
Facsimile: 2827 8605
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Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Enquires about :
• Electrical installation notices
• Gas installation notices
• Lift and escalators installations
notices
• Registered Electrical
Contractors and Workers
• Registered Gas Installers,
Registered Gas Contractors
and Competent Persons
• Registered Lift and Escalators
Contractors, Engineers and
Workers
3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Website: www.emsd.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Hotline (24 hours): 1823
Facsimile: 2890 7493
Customer Services Office
Office Hours : Monday – Friday
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and
Public Holidays)
9:00am - 5:15pm
Water Supplies Department
Enquires about :
• Notices about unauthorized
alteration of water works,
pollution of a water supply
and other non-compliance of
Waterworks Ordinance
• Application for water supply
• Take-up and give-up of water
accounts
• Billing information
• Licensed Plumbers
48/F Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai,
Hong Kong
Website: www.wsd.gov.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Customer Service Hotline: 2824 5000
Facsimile: 2824 0578
164
Environmental Protection Department
Enquires about :
• Statutory notices served by
EPD
• Registered Asbestos
Contractors and Registered
Asbestos Consultants
• Practices in green property
management
15/F & 16/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong
Website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.html
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Hotline: 2838 3111
Facsimile: 2838 3111
Green Property Management Website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/greenproperty/index.html
Hong Kong Police Force
Enquires about :
• Reporting non-corruption
related crime
• Crime prevention
1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Website: www.police.gov.hk
Police Hotline: 2527 7177
Reporting CrimeEmergency: 999
Organised Crime and Triad: 2527 7887
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Crime PreventionTelephone: 2721 2486
E-mail Address: [email protected]
165
Professional Bodies
• Building professionals are mainly architects, engineers and surveyors who are involved
extensively in building construction, alteration and maintenance matters. Many of them are
members of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.
Kong Police Force
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
Room 1205, 12/F, Wing On Centre, 111 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Website: www.hkis.org.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Tel No.: 2526 3679
Facsimile: 2868 4612
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
9/F Island Beverley, 1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Website: www.hkie.org.hk
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Tel No.: 2895 4446
Facsimile: 2577 7791
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects
19/F One Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Website: www.hkia.net
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Tel No.: 2511 6323
Facsimile: 2519 6011